Summary
The UN Transadjective/umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. More Advocacy Week was created in 2017 to support trans and gender-diverse activists’ engagement with international human rights mechanisms, and to increase leadership, visibility, and meaningful participation in decision-making processes at the UN. This year we had an additional goal: to support the renewal of the mandate of the UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identityabbreviated form to refer to the IESOGI – a UN Special Procedures mandate specifically dedicated to addressing violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. More (SOGIabbreviation standing for sexual orientation and gender identity More), which was adopted on Friday 12 July by the United Nationsan international organisation comprising 193 member States. It has the mission of maintaining peace and security, protecting human rights, providing humanitarian aid and ensuring economic and social development across the globe. It is a network of many different bodies and agencies, each of which has a particular role and responsibility. More Human Rights Councilan inter-governmental body within the United Nations which has the responsibility to promote and protect human rights. It is comprised of 47 member States, each elected to 3-year terms by the 193 member States of the United Nations. More in Geneva by a vote of 27 in favor, with 12 voting against and 7 abstentions.
In an unprecedented effort, 16 defenders from 15 countries participated over the three weeks of the 41st Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva from 24 June to 12 July – a historic landmark in trans and gender-diverse participation at UN level advocacy.
During the three weeks, two oral statements were delivered at the Plenary: the first reacting to the report presented by the Special Rapporteur on Health and the second responding to the report presented by the IE on SOGI. A third statement on climate change and women’s rights was also submitted. TAW participants attended meetings with the OHCHR, UNAIDS, Special Proceduresindependent human rights experts within the UN Human Rights Council with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective. They are non-paid and elected for 3-year mandates that can be re-conducted for another three years. Special procedures can undertake country visits, and act on individual cases of reported violations by sending communications to States and others. They also engage in advocacy, raise public awareness, provide advice for technical cooperation, and contribute to the development of international human rights standards.
More, and country missions, and were actively involved in advocating for the renewal of the SOGI mandate.
One of the highlights of TAW 2019 was the side event focused on gender identityrefers to a person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth. More issues in the context of the SOGI Mandate, which was co-sponsored by Argentina and the United Kingdom. You can view the full video on GATE’s Facebook Page.
Over the past three years, Trans Advocacy Week has radically changed the landscape of trans and gender-diverse activism at the UN, contributing to introduce key issues affecting our communities worldwide, such as pathologization, poverty, social exclusion, legal gender recognition, violence, among others, while also articulating within wider human rights movements.
Trans Advocacy Week organizers and participants appreciate the continuous support of donors and allies whose commitment make this project possible, and our contribution bigger every year.
Read about Trans Advocacy Week in previous years: 2018 and 2017.