@SexualRights profile picture
Sexual Rights Initiative @SexualRights

Coalition of national & regional organisations based in Canada, India, Egypt & Argentina that work on sexual rights at the United Nations.

Joined March 2012
  • Tweets 8,472
  • Following 926
  • Followers 3,624
888 Photos and videos
📢 Important Update: We are closing our Geneva office As a coalition of partners from across regions and movements who have worked together for more than 20 years to advance sexual rights within the UN human rights system, we want to share this update transparently.
2
2
5
5,139
📕 New publication! We've just published a summary of a submission, sent to the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
On an orange background with yellow and turquoise geometric shapes: TEXT: NEW PUBLICATION Intersectionality from a racial justice perspective

ALT On an orange background with yellow and turquoise geometric shapes: TEXT: NEW PUBLICATION Intersectionality from a racial justice perspective

On an orange background with a turquoise geometric shape: TEXT: TRENDS At the HRC, the term “intersectionality” is rarely used verbatim in resolutions. A prevalence of vague, general references to “multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination” indicates a tendency to lump different forms and manifestations of discrimination together, without necessarily examining the root causes.

ALT On an orange background with a turquoise geometric shape: TEXT: TRENDS At the HRC, the term “intersectionality” is rarely used verbatim in resolutions. A prevalence of vague, general references to “multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination” indicates a tendency to lump different forms and manifestations of discrimination together, without necessarily examining the root causes.

On an orange background with a turquoise geometric shape: TEXT: TRENDS Over the years, HRC negotiations have shown a pattern: many Global North states use intersectionality-adjacent language for virtue-signalling, while simultaneously resisting efforts to meaningfully address systemic racism, classism, colonialism, and economic inequalities between countries. It is often used and interpreted in negotiations as a proxy for sexual orientation and gender identity.

ALT On an orange background with a turquoise geometric shape: TEXT: TRENDS Over the years, HRC negotiations have shown a pattern: many Global North states use intersectionality-adjacent language for virtue-signalling, while simultaneously resisting efforts to meaningfully address systemic racism, classism, colonialism, and economic inequalities between countries. It is often used and interpreted in negotiations as a proxy for sexual orientation and gender identity.

On an orange background with a yellow geometric shape: TEXT: TRENDS The use of intersectionality-related language has also increased in recent years in Universal Periodic Review recommendations issued by recommending States to States under review. Within those, however, a minority of recommendations refer to racial discrimination, to race or ethnicity as discrimination grounds, or to rights-holders subjected to it.

ALT On an orange background with a yellow geometric shape: TEXT: TRENDS The use of intersectionality-related language has also increased in recent years in Universal Periodic Review recommendations issued by recommending States to States under review. Within those, however, a minority of recommendations refer to racial discrimination, to race or ethnicity as discrimination grounds, or to rights-holders subjected to it.

1
1
3
1,197
more replies
This submission also examined and made recommendations to remove barriers to participation in the development of UN human rights norms and standards of individuals with lived experience of racism and intersecting forms of discrimination.
1
854
Finally, the submission made recommendations to reverse these trends and to contribute to more consistent racial justice and intersectional analysis throughout UN human rights work.
773
This is being done with the explicit aim of ensuring continuity and sustainability, and of reducing the risk of gaps at a time when the UN human rights system itself is under increased pressure and potential collapse.
1
1,184
Finally, the Geneva team of the SRI wants to take this moment to express our deep gratitude to you, and to the many activists, movements, and organisations who have worked alongside us over the past eight years of SRI’s expanded presence in Geneva.
1,067
This transition is felt deeply by those who have carried this work in Geneva, and by the many partners who have worked alongside them and benefited from their expertise, care, and political commitment.
1
925
more replies
The period leading up to 1 April will be dedicated to a structured and careful handover of Geneva-based work to partner organisations to continue specific strands of engagement.
1
827
Throughout this transition, the Geneva team and the coalition members remain deeply committed to the partnerships and commitments made with individual activists, organisations, and movements.
1
742
The closure of the Geneva office does not signal an end to SRI’s impact. The SRI will continue. The political acumen, analysis, and strategic direction of SRI will continue to be collectively shaped by partners across regions and movements.
1
571
This decision reflects both financial realities, including a more constrained funding environment, and political and strategic considerations, with the coalition adapting with partner-driven implementation and decentralisation.
1
467
We recognise that this decision marks the closure of an era in which a dedicated team based in Geneva worked tirelessly, in close collaboration with coalition partners, to advance and deepen the shared political project of SRI.
1
410
The Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) will close its Geneva office on 1 April 2026, following a period of strong programmatic delivery and significant impact. For more information: buff.ly/ZNSi90u

1
398
📢 Important Update: We are closing our Geneva office As a coalition of partners from across regions and movements who have worked together for more than 20 years to advance sexual rights within the UN human rights system, we want to share this update transparently.
2
2
5
5,139
📢 Calling all feminists! We've compiled a few interesting upcoming opportunities to engage with UN human rights thematic reports and country visits.🧵
IMAGE: On a white background a range of geometric shapes in yellow, pink and blue TEXT: January - April 2026 Opportunities for feminist engagement in UN human rights thematic reports and country visits

ALT IMAGE: On a white background a range of geometric shapes in yellow, pink and blue TEXT: January - April 2026 Opportunities for feminist engagement in UN human rights thematic reports and country visits

1
2
354
more replies
🇦🇲 Call for input by the Working group on discrimination against women and girls before its visit to Armenia from 16 to 25 March (by 30 January) buff.ly/H9BPxqX

1
214
🇫🇮 Call for input by the Independent Expert on international solidarity before her visit to Finland from 19 to 28 May (by 1 May) buff.ly/x8Pjt9t
180
Load more