advancing human rights in relation to gender identity and sexual diversity an agenda for social work...
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Advancing Human Rights in Relation to Gender Identity and
Sexual Diversity
An Agenda for Social Work Education
Co-Authors• Brian O'Neill, University of British Columbia, Vancouver,
Canada• Mariko Kimura, Japan Women’s University, Tokyo, Japan• Nick Mulé, York University, Toronto, Canada• Vishanthie Sewpaul, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban,
South Africa• Hernando Muñoz Sánchez, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin,
Colombia• Ronny Heikki Tikkanen, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg,
Sweden• Frank T. Y. Wang, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan
Universal Declarationof Human Rights
• Does not prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity
• UN Human Rights Council expressed grave concern regarding violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (2011 Resolution 17/19)
2011 Report of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
• Argued that although SO and GI not explicitly mentioned in Universal Declaration of Human Rights, LGBT persons are entitled to protection of HR law
• Recommended– appropriate sensitization and training programs … public
information campaigns to counter homophobia and transphobia …
– legal recognition of the preferred gender of transgender persons …
Ethics in Social WorkStatement of Principles
• Social workers have a responsibility to challenge negative discrimination on the basis of characteristics such as … gender or sex … sexual orientation …
• Social workers have an obligation to challenge social conditions that contribute to social exclusion, stigmatization or subjugation and to work towards an inclusive society
Global Standards for Education &
Training of the Social Work Profession
• An appreciation and respect for diversity in relation to ‘race,’ culture, religion, ethnicity, linguistic origin, gender, sexual orientation and differential abilities
• Non-discrimination … on the basis of gender, sexual orientation …
Sexual Orientation:Country Comparisons
Country Human Rights
SW Ethics SW ED
Australia No@ Yes Yes
Canada Yes Yes Yes
Colombia Yes No No standards*
Japan No No No standards*
South Africa Yes Yes Yes
Sweden Yes No~ No standards*
Taiwan Yes Yes, Indirect in gender
No standards*
UK Yes Yes No standards*
USA No@ Yes Yes
Gender Identity:Country Comparisons
Country Human Rights SW Ethics SW ED
Australia No Yes Yes – gender?
Canada No No Yes
Colombia Yes No No Standards*
Japan No No No Standards*
South Africa No No No Standards*
Sweden Yes No No standards*
Taiwan Yes Yes, indirect in gender
No standards*
UK Yes No No standards*
USA No Yes Yes
Issues
• SO widely included in human rights laws
• GI protected in fewer countries
• SO addressed in most Codes of Ethics
• GI named in only 2 countries’ Codes
• Inconsistency between Codes and sw ed standards re systematic addressing of SO & GI
Reflections
• there is fear and lack of knowledge to talk about it …• … challenge is to transform society … [so there is] common
recognition of LGBT equality• … [in schools of sw LGBT issues are often] talked about as a
disability• [inclusion in courses] dependent on the engagement of specific
teachers and participating students• Lack of development of relevant practice skills
Advocate for:
• Inclusion of gender identity in legal protections• Specific reference to gender identity in ethical codes• Social work education polices requiring schools to
systematically address SO and GI• Support for LGBT SW students organizing
themselves to be actively involved in SW education.
Develop Practice Skills
• Collaborate with LGBT groups in offering courses relevant to LGBT issues
• LGBT groups offer field placements
