In this webinar the panelists explain the human development framework, compare it to the human rights framework, and set out how the development framework applies to sexual and gender minorities.
RFSL presents “Guiding Principles on the Inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) People in Development Policy and Programs.” The "Guiding Principles" is a new tool for all actors engaging in development programs and policy work, including the Agenda 2030.
Today, RFSL launches the “Guiding Principles on the Inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) People in Development Policy and Programs.” These guiding principles are meant to serve as a tool for all stakeholders in designing, implementing and monitoring international, national, and local development activities related to LGBTI people, with a vision to achieving the United Nations Agenda 2030 and other development priorities.
In 2015, all 193 Member States of the United Nations adopted the Agenda 2030, the world’s most ambitious plan of action to eradicate poverty, achieve gender equality, and foster peaceful, just and, inclusive societies, among other goals. The guiding pledge of the Agenda 2030 is “Leaving no one behind,” a recognition that the Agenda, and all 17 of its goals and 169 targets, cannot be achieved without the inclusion of all people, especially those farthest marginalized. In this context, the Agenda 2030 provides an opportunity to celebrate and improve the lives of LGBTI people, a community that has historically faced stigma, discrimination, and institutional exclusion in development activities.
“Trillions of dollars are going into materializing the Agenda 2030, towards alleviating the world’s most pressing problems like poverty, inequality, access to employment, education, healthcare, and housing. These issues disproportionately impact the LGBTI community. Without the inclusion and meaningful participation of LGBTI people in this plan, the Agenda 2030 will never be achieved.”
Said Sandra Ehne, President of RFSL, commenting on the release of the guiding principles and the role of Sweden and RFSL in the Agenda 2030. Read more via RFSL
FOR ALL: The Sustainable Development Goals and LGBTI People
Park, Andrew & Mendos, Lucas. (2019). FOR ALL: The Sustainable Development Goals and LGBTI People. 10.13140/RG.2.2.23989.73447.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In late 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda, a resolution containing the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that will guide international development activities during the next decade. The goals offer an opportunity for LGBTI advocates to seek inclusion in the international development agenda and in national policies and programs.
THE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
The SDGs represent the current international development framework. This framework has continued to evolve since the formation of the first global development institutions in 1944. The development framework compliments the human rights framework, though each continues to operate through different institutions and according to distinct methodologies and goals. Understanding these differences will increase the effectiveness of advocates in both the human rights and development arena. Historically, the development framework has focused on seeking to improve people’s lives by increasing economic growth, particularly in low and middle income countries. In recent decades, development practitioners have sought to improve particular outcomes, such as health, education, and income, by tracking how well individuals are doing, and then implementing policies to improve these outcomes.
THE 2030 AGENDA AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
The UN has endorsed the principle of ‘leave no one behind’ as part of the 2030 Agenda. In addition, the SDGs, unlike prior development goals, apply to all nations. These two principles combine to constitute a mandate that all States include LGBTI people in their development efforts. Each country is responsible for establishing their own development priorities and planning process. States and LGBTI communities should work together to ensure inclusion of LGBTI people when formulating national policy. Additionally, States can participate in Voluntary National Reviews each year at the UN to report on their progress. These reviews offer an opportunity for advocates to weigh in on whether their government has made sufficient efforts regarding LGBTI people.
LGBTI POPULATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT
Development agencies rely on a detailed understanding of populations in each country in order to design development programs and monitor progress toward development goals. Thus, to effectively include LGBTI people in development goals, development practitioners must become knowledgeable about LGBTI populations, their development outcomes, and their role in the economy. This task can be challenging. Most countries routinely collect data on various aspects of their population. However, few countries collect information about sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics. In order to fully address development concerns of LGBTI people, States will need to do more to understand health outcomes, levels of educational attainment, household income, patterns of violence, living conditions, and a variety of aspects of LGBTI experience. States should work with LGBTI communities when creating data collection systems in order to ensure that local communities, and unique cultural identities, are accurately reflected in the process and outcome of data collection efforts.
From an economic development perspective LGBTI people and issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics, play a role in national economies in at least three different ways. First, LGBTI people have the potential to be fully productive workers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs. However, empirical evidence shows that exclusion from educational opportunities, discrimination in hiring and promotions, as well as harassment and ill-treatment at the workplace can limit this potential. Secondly, businesses that are more diverse and accepting of LGBTI people may experience higher profits because of their ability to attract talent, maintain higher worker satisfaction, and avoid workplace conflict that accompanies discrimination. Lastly, countries that adopt laws protecting the rights of LGBTI people may have a competitive edge when it comes to attracting foreign investment.
LGBTI DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES
Included in this publication is a discussion of six dimensions of development that are relevant to LGBTI people. Each LGBTI community should develop its own priorities based on the lived experience of LGBTI people. Thus, the priorities of particular communities will likely differ.
HEALTH
EDUCATION
POVERTY
SAFETY
FAMILY
LEGAL GENDER RECOGNITION
With a focus on:
SDG 1: No Poverty
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
SDG 4: Ensure Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Promote Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 8, Work and Economic Growth
SDG 10: Reduced Inequality
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
SDG 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goals