Equality of Opportunity for Sexual and Gender Minorities 2024 - Paperback

by The World Bank (Author)

By assessing discrimination in laws, regulations, and policies, the Equality of Opportunity for Sexual and Gender Minorities (EQOSOGI) initiative examines institutionalized challenges encountered by sexual and gender minorities. This second edition of the EQOSOGI report expands its coverage from 16 to 64 countries representing different geographic areas, income levels, legal traditions, and inclusiveness of sexual and gender minorities, ensuring a diverse and holistic representation of the issues. EQOSOGI presents indicators to identify differences in the legal and policy environment for sexual and gender minorities in six areas: Decriminalization, Access to Education, Access to Labor Markets, Access to Services and Social Protection, Civil and Political Inclusion, and Protection from Hate Crimes. The indicators are also disaggregated into the three dimensions of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics. Building a global knowledge base on laws and policies affecting sexual and gender minorities is at the foundation of advocacy and policy change, especially because sexual and gender minorities are largely excluded from development efforts. By collecting and sharing data on national frameworks, the EQOSOGI study aims to promote a dialogue on equality of opportunity and to encourage law and policy reforms that enable sexual and gender minorities to fully participate in the economy and share in the benefits of development. It also aims to promote a deeper understanding of the legal hurdles hindering inclusive job creation and private sector development and, ultimately, to encourage reforms that are conducive to poverty reduction and shared prosperity on a liveable planet. The report also offers a deep dive into discriminatory legal practices in these areas and how they relate to socioeconomic outcomes for sexual and gender minorities. It provides areas of policy engagement to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics, and to promote increased social and economic inclusion.

Author Biography

The World Bank came into formal existence in 1945 following the international ratification of the Bretton Woods agreements. It is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. The organization's activities are focused on education, health, agriculture and rural development, environmental protection, establishing and enforcing regulations, infrastructure development, governance and legal institutions development. The World Bank is made up of two unique development institutions owned by its 185 Member Countries. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) focuses on middle income and creditworthy poor countries and the International Development Association (IDA), which focuses on the poorest countries in the world.