SOGIESC Policy Position
The rights of people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).
Around the world, Plan International advocates for the rights of children, especially girls, in all their diversity. We believe all children should be able to live a life free from discrimination, violence and stigma, including children with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).
There is a long way to go to achieve this. Currently, there are 42 countries worldwide where freedom of expression for people of diverse SOGIESC is restricted by law.
Children and young people of diverse SOGIESC experience high levels of violence and abuse in education, in communities, and within their families. This exclusion and disempowerment has a profound impact on children’s mental health and wellbeing, with one study finding that 12% of children and young people with diverse SOGIESC feel ‘useful’ daily, versus 30% of other children and young people.
The below paper provides Plan International’s global position on the rights of people with diverse SOGIESC. The analysis and positions in this paper are based on global evidence, extensive consultation with children and young people of diverse SOGIESC, organisations working on SOGIESC inclusion across our operational regions and Plan International’s gender-transformative programme work.
We believe this position goes hand in hand with our work to advance gender equality – equality for girls means equality for all girls. We also acknowledge that discrimination, violence and exclusion is experienced by people of diverse SOGIESC of all genders, including non-binary children and boys, and that this is often compounded by intersecting inequalities, such as racism, imperialism and ableism.
Despite the many challenges they face, every day, children and young people with diverse SOGIESC show strength, agency, resistance and a humbling ability to survive and advocate for themselves, transforming their homes, communities and the world.
Plan International is proud to stand with these children and young people, and we see this as a critical part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDG) commitments to “leave no one behind”.
Our key positions:
- All people of diverse SOGIESC should be able to live a life free from discrimination, coercion, violence and stigma, and fully realise their rights.
- Legal and policy reform has a critical role to play in ensuring children and young people of diverse SOGIESC can enjoy their fundamental human rights, live with dignity, and access support from civil society.
- Violence against people with diverse SOGIESC, and their exclusion from society, is often driven by harmful gender and social norms, attitudes, and behaviours. That’s why it is critical to address harmful norms, which contribute to inequality and discrimination, and their root causes.
- Social, economic, and cultural rights and equality are essential aspects of the journey towards full respect of the human rights and dignity of persons with diverse SOGIESC. It is vital that we break cycles of poverty which can hold back children with diverse SOGIESC and their families.
- Gender equality and diverse SOGIESC inclusion go hand in hand. Gender equality and girl’s rights are important frameworks for realising the rights of all children and young people. Children and young people with diverse SOGIESC often experience multiple intersecting inequalities. Equality for girls means equality for all girls.
Download the position paper
SOGIESC Policy Position – Full Report
1.53 mb
SOGIESC Policy Position – Summary Report
137.06 kb
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