Chapter two
Previous page
Contents
Next page
The human rights framework Sexuality and development
IPPF/Jon Spaull/Colombia
The link between the realization of rights and progress towards development has long been recognized. Like human rights, the central focus of development is the individual. Many leading advocates and human rights and development experts, believe that without full recognition of sexual rights, governments will be unable to fulfil their human rights commitments or reach many of the internationally agreed development goals. Discrimination, stigma and violence related to sexuality inhibit the engagement of marginalized persons into the social, cultural, economic and political development of a nation. As such, a favourable environment needs to be created in which sexuality is acknowledged as a fundamental part of being human, and recognized within international law, so that a democratic and truly representative role can be played by those who are marginalised in influencing and shaping the progress of their country.
A workshop for gay men facilitated by the Santa Maria Network, Bogota.
19