UN Women submission on electoral participation and sexual orientation and gender identity: To the UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity

This submission is in response to the request of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (UN IE SOGI) for inputs to the report on electoral participation and sexual orientation and gender identity. This request is timely, coming during what is being billed as a “super election year”, with some 2.6 billion people eligible to vote worldwide.

UN Women is closely examining the opportunities and challenges for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ+) persons’ full equality and inclusion in electoral processes in 2024 and beyond. It intends to amplify the messages of our civil society partners around the world, and the clear call by people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) for equality and inclusion in democratic processes, including elections.