1 Results, experiences and challenges Sida´s work on LGBTI in development cooperation

History Before 2005, few and ad hoc support for LGBT - primarily to Eastern Europe 2005/06 Study of LGBT in Swedish dev. coop Sida´s Action Plan on Sexual orientation & Gender identity in development cooperation 2010 Evaluation of the action plan 2011 New action plan to be adopted 2

3 Government´s letter of Appropriation 2005 – Sida to commission a Study on Policy and Administration: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues in Development – 2005 Government´s letter of Appropriation 2006: Sida to submit an Action plan by 1 September 2006 A combination of political will by the government, committment by some staff members at MoFA and Sida & successful lobbying by the Swedish CS. Why an Action plan ?

4 LGBTI in development cooperation - a human rights issue Non-discrimination International conventions on human rights – sexual orientation not mentioned explicitly but… - Yogyakarta principles - European Convention on Human Rights - Framework of the European Union

5 … and an issue of Gender equality Poverty (lack of power, security, opportunities) Democracy

6 Sida’s Action plan on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender issues in international development cooperation Overall goal: Enable lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons to improve their living conditions in the countries where Sweden is engaged in development cooperation Intermediate objective 1: Measures in the field have led to improvements for LGBT persons as a result of Sida’s work Intermediate objective 2: Awareness-raising, competence building and work to establish knowledge about LGBT-issues firmly within Sida

7 Activities in the Action plan Inventory of what Sida is doing in the field of LGBT (2007) Integration of LGBT issues in development cooperation strategies Increase the number of projects and programs related to LGBT- issues globally, regionally and nationally Advocacy and dialogue International Training Programme (ITP) Management, heads of divisions, counsellors introduced to LGBT-issues Training Series of seminars Evaluation of the Action plan (2009)

Positive results & activities, as identified in the evaluation Sida direct funding to LGBT initiatives has increased from Euro in 2006 to 2,4 M Euro in In addition LGBT issues have been mainstreamed in 28 other initiatives, mainly within the areas of human rights and HIV/AIDS. (2010´s numbers to come) Nine country cooperation (of 40) strategies mention the rights of LGBT persons in the analysis. Two regional teams support initiatives for LGBT persons. 8

cont. Results In total, 18 country teams (out of 40) and Sida HQ have raised LGBTI issues as part of their dialogue with civil society partners, governments, co-donors or other stakeholders. The International Training Programme on Human Rights and LGBTI (capacity development for participants from partner countries) has been very appreciated – so far 180 participants have been through the programme. 9

cont. Results LGBT organisations commend the moral and practical support provided by some Embassies in European Reform countries in connection with LGBT advocacy activities (like Pride). Swedish CSOs report that it has become easier to get funding for LGBT initiatives. 10

11 cont. Results Visibility externally: articles, media coverage, participation in Pride festivals and internally: seminars, training, integration into policy and strategy documents (seminars on religion and LGBT, the situation for LGBT persons in Macedonia and Zimbabwe, the Yogyakarta principles, being a muslim LGBT person)

Experiences and challenges / in general (just a few…) Working on human rights is always political Homosexuality is criminalised in many of Sida’s partner countries. It requires sensitivity, courage and innovative methods to address the issue in each context. Difficult to talk about sexuality Many small and sometimes weak LBGT- organisations, but growing movement within civil society. Crucial to identify and support strategic partners. 12

Challenges / organisational Need for clearer objectives and measurable indicators. Stable supporting organisational mechanism and adequate human resources for the work. Great need for training, competence-building and awareness raising Important to reach Senior management – what are the ”status” of the work 13

cont. Challenges / organisational Heteronormativity – Discriminating attitudes against LGBTI persons still exist within Sida and within Embassies. Work closer with the Swedish CSO Community, both those working on LGBT and those that are not (yet) Find innovative ways of supporting LGBT NGOs at different levels (funds etc) 14

cont. Challenges/ organisational The Swedish government and the Sida management are communicating the importance of a range of different priority themes, focus areas and high profile issues. LGBTI rights are seen as narrow issue, affecting only a small group of people. 15

cont. Challenges / organisational Work together with others! Need for strategic alliances and donor coordination – meeting with bilaterals and donor NGOs in Stockholm in March

Recommendations from donor meeting in Sthlm 2010 Increase support to national & local NGOs Mapping of the situation for LGBT persons, LGBT protection mechanisms and where the donors work (countries and sectors) Establish a calender, an electronic resource library, list serv for information dissemination Create a working framework in relation to different areas like health, EA2J, Poverty etc 17

cont. Recommendations, 2010 Include LGBTI issues in internal training and explore the possibility of joint training in the field All bilateral agencies should look into issuing guidelines on working for LGBTI rights (but we now have the EU tool kit) 18

New developments / initiatives Locally: more vocal and organised LGBTI communites demanding their rights and working for change Globally: New UN resolution on LGBT, UN: SG and OHCHR more outspoken ILGA has received consultative status at ECOSOC Brazil, South Africa active from Global South 19

cont. New developments/initiatives Donor community: Germany, USA joining the group of donors with increased level of ambition? New donor meeting? Sida: dialogue brief on the rights of LGBTI persons (as part of a human rights dialogue kit), new action plan to be adopted later this year. 20

Support for local LGBTI activists SOLIDARITY, MOTIVATION, NETWORKING, SAFETY “ Giving me a chance to share and learn from other activists. It was a platform for sharing knowledge and methods of work, but also a way of showing solidarity.” “The pride festival was very well organized and allowed us as African activists to experience the feeling of freedom. Knowledge and ideas were shared and a great challenge remains for us who come from countries where LGBT people cannot march. We left motivated and energized and had so much fun as well.” Ugandan LGBT activist participating in Stockholm Pride

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