The false divide between development and gender equality has been weaponized to undermine hard-won progress in gender equality and human rights, threatening the foundations of inclusive, rights-based development, with disproportionate impact on women, girls, and persons with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).
The report falls short in recognizing that sex workers are disproportionately affected by discrimination. Although the report points out discrimination based on socioeconomic status, it is necessary to directly address the discrimination against people engaged in sex work to help increase its visibility and acceptance of the existence of the problem. We stress that consensual adult sex work is work. To realise the right to development, States should fully decriminalise sex work, recognise labour rights and ensure active, free and meaningful participation in decision making as a key element to the right to development and to achieving the SDG 5.
