title: Advocating for sexual rights at the UN: the unfinished business of global development.
abstract: Twenty years ago, governments agreed that the right to have control over and decide freely and responsibly on all matters related to one's sexuality, free from coercion, discrimination and violence, is a fundamental human right. Since then, many aspects of sexual rights have been agreed by consensus at the global level, but the term "sexual rights" itself continues to be removed from negotiated outcomes and left out of international agreements, often at the last stages of negotiations. This commentary represents our point of view on the unfinished business of the UN with regards to the fight for sexual rights. Our perspective draws from lessons learned in cross-movement organizing in various regional UN spaces and outlines some of the tactics by conservative forces to push sexual rights to the periphery. The article reaffirms the position that broadening the debate and concepts surrounding sexual rights to be more inclusive, has enormous transformational potential and should inform collective advocacy efforts moving forward.
authors.affiliation: Program Officer, International Women's Health Coalition, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Saida
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Director of Advocacy and Policy, International Women's Health Coalition, NY, USA. Electronic address: skowalski@iwhc.org.
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.affiliation: Director of Communications, International Women's Health Coalition, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D014943:Global Health; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D011057:Politics; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities; D019529:Sexuality; D014480:United Nations
keywords: United Nations; sexual orientation and gender identity; sexual rights; sexuality; sustainable development