Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity

Through our project monitoring and policy advocacy, BIC pushes for the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) individuals in World Bank policies, projects, and programs, so that LGBTQI+ people can benefit and are not excluded from World Bank operations.

Priorities

BIC calls on the World Bank to help design and adequately supervise LGBTQI+-inclusive projects and programs. This includes pushing the Bank to proactively consult with LGBTQI+ people throughout the project lifecycle when it is unsafe for them to engage with their governments directly.

65

As of September 2025, 65 countries criminalize private, consensual, same-sex sexual activity.

Safeguards

LGBTQI+ people, referred to as sexual and gender minorities, are included in the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) under “disadvantaged or vulnerable groups.”

Strategy

The World Bank Group’s 2024-2030 Gender Strategy defines gender to include concepts of gender diversity and gender identity.

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