Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
many aspects of public life (Hubbard, 2008), including development dis-
courses and interventions (Camargo, 2006).
Development policy and practice reproduce dominant social and cul-
tural norms around sexuality and marriage, resulting in the restriction
of opportunities available to women, men and transgender people.
Those who do not conform to 'compulsory heterosexuality' (Rich, 1980)
face barriers to accessing services and resources in a wide range of sec-
tors, including healthcare, education and training, employment, hous-
ing, agriculture, and social institutions (Chronic Poverty Research
Centre (CPRC), 2010). Young unmarried mothers, non-married women,
widows, commercial sex workers and those who have experienced rape,
forced marriage, human trafficking and other forms of gender-based
violence, are often stigmatized on the basis of gender and sexuality.
They have limited access to education, livelihood options and assets,
resulting in chronic poverty and insecurity (CPRC, 2010). Normative
ideas about marriage and sexual relations may result in forced mar-
riage and harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation/
cutting, which may have long-term consequences for women's and girls'
physical and emotional well-being. Non-married women and widows
may experience discrimination in seeking sexual and reproductive
health services, in being recognized as the next of kin for non-married
partners (Corrêa and Jolly, 2008), in safeguarding asset inheritance,
and in accessing property, land, credit and services in their own right
without the permission of a husband or son (Deere and Doss, 2006;
Peterman, 2011).
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Rights-based Approaches and Sexualities
Rights-based approaches to development appear to offer new perspec-
tives and opportunities to promote and protect sexual rights in a more
positive framework than merely viewing sexuality as a sexual and
reproductive health problem (Corrêa and Jolly, 2008). The focus of such
approaches on non-discrimination, access to information, and on active
and informed participation in all decisions affecting the individual,
enable a focus on sexual rights as well as sexual and reproductive
health rights. This raises questions about the role of the state in pro-
moting, protecting and respecting sexual rights. As Corrêa and Jolly
(2008) point out, state intervention and punishment are the major
source of violations against sexual minorities around the world. Hence,
