Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people are among the most marginalized individuals and groups in countries, often facing discrimination and exclusion. Existing inequalities are only intensifying under COVID-19, making it more difficult for LGBTI people to access essential services they need to prevent an outbreak.
Exclusion based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) has a high cost to economies and to people, and this pandemic has highlighted the urgent need to address these disparities and support countries to build more inclusive and resilient societies.
Mari Pangestu, the World Bank's Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships, provided a sneak peak of what to expect at this year's commemoration of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, or IDAHOTB -- an important day to honor the tremendous progress that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people have made globally in claiming rights and promoting inclusive societies.
Since 2016, the World Bank has commemorated IDAHOTB with events in headquarters and some country offices.
The theme for this year's IDAHOTB is "Breaking the Silence" and the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) are collaborating on a virtual program of events throughout the week of May 18-22, 2020.
A major barrier to addressing SOGI-based exclusion is the lack of data on the lives of LGBTI people. The events will highlight the important role the MDBs are called to play in closing the SOGI data gap and will discuss ongoing and potential innovative approaches to data generation and evidence-based policymaking in their client countries.
To learn more about the events, click here.
