Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Inclusion Data Generation and Policy Change

This project supports the World Bank in enhancing the realization of human rights and economic empowerment of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI+) people worldwide. With Canada's support the World Bank’s Social Sustainability Initiative for All Trust Fund helps to scale up data generation and advance policy change for greater inclusion of sexual and gender minorities in the World Bank Group operations and initiatives. The project activities seek to benefit both World Bank country offices and clients and LGBTQI+ people communities and human rights defenders in developing countries. Project activities include: (1) expanding the World Bank’s Equality of Opportunity for Sexual and Gender Minorities research mapping laws and regulations that discriminate against or that seek to protect sexual and gender minorities and gaps in protective laws and regulations in countries around the world; (2) researching the economic cost of exclusion based on sexual orientation gender identity and expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC); (3) providing capacity building and training on SOGIESC inclusion for World Bank country office staff; and (4) providing technical assistance to integrate SOGIESC inclusion in World Bank policy and investment projects.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) enhanced knowledge mobilization evidence-based and data-driven advice and guidance for internal and external stakeholders. This includes those involved in delivering on World Bank Group policy and programming objectives related to the inclusion of persons of diverse sexual orientation gender identity and expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC); and (2) improved and accountable delivery of World Bank projects by World Bank Group stakeholders and implementers that are accessible and responsive to the needs of SOGIESC populations.