Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Contexts Affected by Fragility, Conflict, and Violence: Discussion Paper

In recent years, the world has seen a sharp rise in violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) in countries affected by fragility, conflict and violence (FCV). Today, consensual same-sex sexual acts and other aspects of SOGI remain criminalized in many of the countries experiencing the most pressing humanitarian crises, and those with the largest numbers of refugees and internally displaced people. In light of this, this discussion paper analyzes some of the development and protection challenges that sexual and gender minorities cope with in FCV-affected environments. The paper devotes special attention to the intersections between SOGI-based exclusion and access to basic services; to the challenges experienced by sexual and gender minorities in conditions of forced displacement; and to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) as a frequently used weapon against these vulnerable groups. This paper contributes to the evidence base related to the most vulnerable in FCV-affected environments, and knowledge on SOGI-based exclusion vis-à-vis the development-humanitarian-peace nexus.