Sexual Rights Initiative
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sexualrightsinitiative.org
Sexual Rights Initiative
@sexualrightsinitiative.org
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Coalition of national & regional organisations based in Canada, India, Egypt & Argentina that work on sexual rights at the United Nations.

https://www.sexualrightsinitiative.org/
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Sexual Rights Initiative @sexualrightsinitiative.org · Feb 13
📢 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 twenty years to advance sexual rights within the UN human rights system, we want to share this update transparently and collectively.
sexualrightsinitiative.org
📕 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.

You'll find this summary here: www.sexualrightsinitiative.org/resources/in...
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. 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.
March 19, 2026 at 2:00 PM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
📢 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 twenty years to advance sexual rights within the UN human rights system, we want to share this update transparently and collectively.
February 13, 2026 at 12:01 PM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
📢 Calling all feminists! We've compiled a few interesting upcoming opportunities to engage with UN human rights thematic reports and country visits. 🧵

Find all the info here: www.sexualrightsinitiative.org/news/2026-ja...
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
January 29, 2026 at 10:53 AM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
¿Te perdiste lo que pasó en el EPU 50?

Esta sesión tuvo lugar del 3 al 14 de noviembre de 2025. En esta sesión fueron examinados 14 países: Bielorrusia, Malawi, Panamá, Andorra, Honduras, Liberia, Mongolia, Maldivas, Bulgaria, Islas Marshall, Jamaica, Croacia y Libia.
Imagen: una forma geométrica de un sol sobre un fondo azul. Texto: panorame del EPU 50 Imagen: una forma geométrica de un sol sobre un fondo azul. texto: Durante esta sesión, estaba programado el examen de los Estados Unidos pero este país se retiró del Consejo de Derechos Humanos y de todos sus mecanismos, incluido el examen. Esta negativa a participar constituye un cuestionamiento directo al principio de universalidad, que subyace al Examen Periódico Universal. Imagen: una forma geométrica de un sol sobre un fondo azul. texto: En la sesión 50° continuaron vigentes temas planteados durante las sesiones 49° y 48°: hubo recomendaciones sobre los derechos económicos y sociales de las mujeres, el abordaje de la violencia de género en todas sus manifestaciones, los impactos de género en el cambio climático, y la degradación del ambiente debido, entre otras causas, al impacto persistente de las pruebas nucleares.
January 27, 2026 at 3:57 PM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
Missed what happened at UPR 50?

The 50th session of the Universal Periodic Review was held from 3 to 14 November 2025. 13 countries were reviewed during the session: Belarus, Malawi, Panama, Andorra, Honduras, Liberia, Mongolia, Maldives, Bulgaria, the Marshall Islands, Jamaica, Croatia and Libya.
IMAGE: a yellow geometric form looking like a sun on a dark blue background TEXT: UPR 50 in review IMAGE: a yellow geometric form looking like a sun on a dark blue background TEXT: The United States of America was meant to be reviewed during this session, but opted out as an extension of its withdrawal from the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms. This non-participation is a direct challenge to the principle of universality, which underpins the Universal Periodic Review. IMAGE: a yellow geometric form looking like a sun on a dark blue background TEXT: The 50th session saw the continuation of themes raised during the 49th and 48th sessions. This session included recommendations focused on women’s economic and social rights, addressing gender based violence in all its manifestations, the gendered impacts of climate change, and the degradation of the environment due to inter alia the lingering impacts of nuclear testing.
January 20, 2026 at 10:53 AM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
Trajche Janushev from SWAN reflected on rising autoritarianism in its impact on the work of the UN Human Rights Council during our latest side-event at #HRC60

 "Criminalisation and shrinking civic spaces are realities of everyday life.
October 17, 2025 at 2:58 PM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
At our latest #HRC60 side-event, María Luisa Peralta from Akãhatã spoke about the different dimensions of care, highlighting its need to be examined by the Council and its link to the right to health and economic, social and cultural rights.
October 16, 2025 at 2:58 PM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
At our latest #HRC60 side-event, Meghan Doherty from @actioncanadashr.bsky.social discussed the importance of the Universal Periodic Review in advancing abortion rights.
October 15, 2025 at 2:58 PM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
Did you miss it? Find out all about #HRC60 in our round-up! www.sexualrightsinitiative.org/news/2025-oc...
Image: On a yellow background a geometric pink shape. TEXT: HRC60 in review Image: On a yellow background a geometric pink shape. TEXT: Sexual rights are shaped and constrained by interconnected global crises, unchecked extractivism, climate degradation, violent populism and toxic nationalism, widening inequalities within and between states and entrenched patriarchal, racist, classist, and ableist systems of oppression. Realising sexual rights, therefore, requires advancing the self-determination and collective liberation of all peoples. Image: On a yellow background a geometric pink shape. TEXT: Calls for accountability were also reflected in the International Safe Abortion Day joint statement, endorsed by over 230 organisations and individuals, which linked reproductive justice to broader struggles against impunity in Gaza, Sudan, and the DRC. While the Council adopted by consensus the resolution on preventable maternal mortality and morbidity, this progress stands in contrast with the broader failure of the international system to respond to intersecting crises and uphold the universality and indivisibility of human rights.
October 14, 2025 at 2:57 PM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
Lobna Darwish from the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights reflected on gaps and opportunities for sexual rights advocacy at the Human Rights Council during our latest side event at #HRC60:
October 14, 2025 at 9:54 AM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
At our latest #HRC60 side event, Lobna Darwish from the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights highlighted the material determinants to sexual and reproductive health and rights, linking economic justice to the realisation of rights and the work of the UN Human Rights Council.
October 13, 2025 at 2:57 PM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
At our latest #HRC60 side event: Sexual Rights at the UN HRC: Past, Present and Future, SRI's partners explored how sexual rights have evolved within the Human Rights Council,
October 13, 2025 at 1:02 PM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
🚨 On 2 October 2025, several members of the @globalsumudflotilla were kidnapped by Israel following an illegal interception of the flotilla boats in international waters.
October 3, 2025 at 9:53 AM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
🚨On 2 October 2025, several members of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) were kidnapped by Israel following an illegal interception of the flotilla boats in international waters.
October 2, 2025 at 2:57 PM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
At #HRC60 Carrie Shelver, coordinator of the SRI Geneva office, presented via video a statement recorded earlier this week. Carrie is currently with the Waves of Freedom delegation of the Global Sumud Flotilla. As of this morning, her vessel, the Wahoo, has been assumed to have been intercepted.
October 2, 2025 at 9:41 AM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
We just delivered today this year's Joint Civil Society Statement on Abortion during the General Debate on Item 8 at #HRC60.This year's statement has been signed by more than 240 organisations and 240 individuals.

#AbortionisHealthCare #28Sept
On the background, a multicolour geometric pattern. FRONT TEXT: To commemorate the International Safe Abortion Day, we recall reproductive justice principles: to analyse power systems, address intersectional discrimination and centre the most marginalised. On the background, a multicolour geometric pattern. FRONT TEXT: We continue to see some Western States obfuscate their complicity and violations, instrumentalising their so-called championing of gender equality and SRHR to avoid being held accountable to their double standards and complicity in genocide. On the background, a multicolour geometric pattern. FRONT TEXT: Human rights cannot be universal without an end to the colonial apartheid regime and accountability for the ongoing colonialism and imperialism. We reiterate the call by feminists to end genocide in Gaza and to end impunity for gender based violence. States must act NOW.
September 30, 2025 at 3:12 PM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
Yesterday, Sept. 28, we marked International Safe Abortion Day.

Last week at #HRC60, our partner from Women's Resource Center presented a statement in response to the adoption of Armenia🇦🇲 UPR adoption, highlighting demands to expand access to reproductive services, including abortion:
September 29, 2025 at 2:58 PM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
⚪🟠Join us for International Safe Abortion Day🟠⚪
⏰ Deadline to sign-on: TOMORROW: 12.00 PM CEST

End the reproductive genocide in Gaza! → Sign the #HRC60 joint civil society statement on #abortion : abortionstatement.org #28Sept #SafeAbortionSavesLives
On the background, a multicolour geometric pattern. FRONT TEXT: End the reproductive genocide in Gaza. Sign the HRC60 joint civil society statement on abortion www.abortionstatement.org
September 29, 2025 at 9:53 AM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
⚪🟠Joignez-vous à nous pour la Journée internationale pour le droit à l'avortement🟠⚪.

Il n'y a pas de justice reproductive dans l'apartheid. → Signez notre déclaration au #CDH60 : abortionstatement.org/fr #HRC60 #28Sept #AbortionisHealthCare
En arrière-plan, un motif géométrique multicolore. TEXTE : Il n'y a pas de justice reproductive dans l'apartheid. Signez la déclaration commune de la société civile sur l'avortement au CDH 60. https://abortionstatement.org/fr
September 25, 2025 at 9:53 AM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
Aborto seguro en todos lados. Justicia por Gaza, justicia por Sudán, justicia por Congo. → Firma nuestra declaración conjunta para el #CDH60: abortionstatement.org/es #SeptiembreVerde #28Sept
En el fondo, un diseño geométrico multicolor. TEXTO: Aborto seguro en todos lados. Justicia por Gaza, justicia por Sudán, justicia por Congo. Firma la Declaración Conjunta de la Sociedad Civil por el aborto para el CDH60. https://abortionstatement.org/es
September 22, 2025 at 2:57 PM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
There is no reproductive justice in apartheid.→ Sign the #HRC60 joint civil society statement on #abortion : abortionstatement.org #28Sept #AbortionisHealthCare
On the background, a multicolour geometric pattern. There is no reproductive justice in apartheid. Sign the HRC60 joint civil society statement on abortion www.abortionstatement.org
September 22, 2025 at 9:53 AM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
Earlier this week at #HRC60 we presented a statement in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies to the Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions.

@actioncanadashr.bsky.social
September 19, 2025 at 1:02 PM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
Mettez fin au génocide reproductif à Gaza.→ Signez notre déclaration au #CDH60 : abortionstatement.org/fr #28Sept #SafeAbortionSavesLives
En arrière-plan, un motif géométrique multicolore. TEXTE : Mettez fin au génocide reproductif à Gaza. Signez la déclaration commune de la société civile sur l'avortement au CDH 60. https://abortionstatement.org/fr
September 19, 2025 at 7:30 AM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
Safe abortion everywhere.

Justice for Gaza, Justice for Sudan, Justice for the Congo.

→ Sign the #HRC60 joint civil society statement on #abortion . abortionstatement.org

#AbortionisHealthCare #28Sept
On the background, a multicolour geometric pattern. FRONT TEXT: Safe abortion everywhere. Justice for Gaza, Justice for Sudan, Justice for the Congo. Sign the HRC60 joint civil society statement on abortion www.abortionstatement.org
September 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM
sexualrightsinitiative.org
📆 Today!
If you are in Geneva, come join us for this exciting side event at #HRC60!
Room VIII, Palais des Nations
14h00 to 15h00

Not in Geneva? You can listen live here: listen-live.unog.ch/en/meetings/...
September 17, 2025 at 9:35 AM