Murder. Rape. Physical beatings. Denial of safe abortion. Refusal of fertility treatment. Difficulty in accessing contraceptives. Requirements for a husband’s or family’s permission just to access basic healthcare, open a bank account or freely travel. Denial of Pap smears and screenings for sexually transmitted infections. Being turned away from safe shelters and other protection services for victims of gender-based violence.

These are a small sample of the types of discrimination and violence the UN Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity (IE SOGI) documented in his report on the human rights violations facing lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) women and girls. Discussed during the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on 18 June, the report represents one of the most comprehensive examinations to date of the challenges, discrimination and violence experienced by LBQ women and girls globally.

The experiences of LBQ women and girls reflect many of the same challenges faced by all women throughout the world. However, for LBQ women and girls, these challenges are often compounded by deep-rooted patriarchal structures, systemic misogyny, gender-based violence, homophobia and biphobia. The criminalization of same-sex relations, even where such laws are rarely enforced, further entrenches discrimination. This intersectionality creates unique and increased vulnerabilities that often go unrecognized and undocumented.

In addition, the historic focus on gay and bisexual men in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) health research, advocacy and service provision, while undeniably still crucial, has left LBQ women and girls comparatively understudied and under-resourced. This data gap often translates into a policy gap: when the specific health needs and human rights violations of LBQ women and girls are not documented, they cannot be adequately addressed by national health systems or legal protections. 

UNDP’s #WeBelongAfrica programme is actively working to address this gap by ensuring that the voices and lived experiences of LBQ women and girls are heard globally, regionally and locally. As part of this effort, #WeBelongAfrica provided technical assistance to LBQ women’s organizations in at least three countries in Africa, including Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe, enabling them to submit community-gathered data and documentation for the IE SOGI’s report. This assistance ranged from supplying structural templates and strategic drafting guidance, to reviewing the finalized submissions. Their vital contributions, which were among the 200 submissions received globally, informed the violations documented in the report. 

The submissions highlighted specific challenges faced by LBQ women and girls in Africa. These included the limited training for health professionals, in both public and private systems, regarding their specific health needs and how family violence is often deliberately used to prevent LBQ women and girls from living autonomous lives and forming relationships outside of male-controlled structures.

#WeBelongAfrica has also worked with LBQ women’s organizations to ensure their voices are heard at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, including highlighting the barriers LBQ women face in accessing justice, and within their countries. 

However, ensuring the experiences of LBQ women and girls are well understood and documented is only the first step. As we move forward, we, the international community, national governments and development partners must actively prioritize the inclusion of LBQ women and girls in health research, legal reform and social protection programmes.

We cannot achieve the Sustainable Development Goals or realize the promise to "leave no one behind" while LBQ women and girls continue to face systemic violence and exclusion.