DefinitionsGender identity refers to each person's deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth including the personal sense of the body (which may involve, if freely chosen, modification of bodily appearance or function by medical, surgical or other means) and other expressions of gender, including dress, speech and mannerisms.1 The term "gender-diverse" is used to refer to persons whose gender identity, including their gender expression, is at odds with what is perceived as being the gender norm in a particular context at a particular point in time, including those who do not place themselves in the male/female binary; the more specific term "trans" is used to describe persons who identify with a different sex than the one assigned to them at birth. Show
A spiral of exclusion and marginalisationGender-diverse and trans people around the world are subjected to levels of violence and discrimination that offend the human conscience:
Trans persons are particularly vulnerable to human rights violations when their name and sex details in official documents do not match their gender identity or expression. Today, however, the vast majority of trans and gender-diverse persons in the world do not have access to gender recognition by the State. That scenario creates a legal vacuum and a climate that tacitly fosters stigma and prejudice against them. At the root of the acts of violence and discrimination lies the intent to punish based on preconceived notions of what the victim's gender identity should be, with a binary understanding of what constitutes a male and a female, or the masculine and the feminine. These acts are invariably the manifestation of deeply entrenched stigma and prejudice, irrational hatred and a form of gender-based violence, driven by an intention to punish those seen as defying gender norms. A beacon of hope: depathologization of trans identitiesFor years, mental health diagnoses have been misused to pathologize identities and other diversities. In 2017, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health stated that reducing trans identities to diseases aggravated stigma and discrimination. In 2019, the World Health Assembly adopted the eleventh revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), which removed trans-related categories from the chapter on mental and behavioural disorders. The revision depathologizes trans identities and is considered an important step forward to ensure trans persons can live free from violence and discrimination. It is important to note that for a long time, pathologization has had a deep impact on public policy, legislation and jurisprudence, thus permeating in all realms of State action around the world and the collective conscience. Eradicating the conception of some forms of gender as a pathology from everyday life will be a longer process that will require further measures to that end. States are advised to:
Read the statement by UN experts welcoming the revision and consult the updated International Classification of Diseases issued by the World Health Organization. Legal gender recognition, still a distant dream for manySelf-determined gender is a cornerstone of a person's identity. The resulting obligation of States is to provide access to gender recognition in a manner consistent with the rights to freedom from discrimination, equal protection of the law, privacy, identity and freedom of expression. The lack of access to gender recognition negates the identity of a person to such an extent that it provokes a fundamental rupture of State obligations. Denying someone the legal recognition of their gender negatively impacts all aspects of their life: their right to health, to housing, to access social security, to freedom of movement and residence; and it also fuels discrimination, violence and exclusion in social settings, including educational and work environments. When States recognize the gender identity of trans persons, they often impose abusive requirements, such as medical certification, surgery, treatment, sterilization or divorce. The Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity has called on States to ensure legal gender recognition is available to all persons everywhere. The Independent Expert urged States to enact legislation and adopt public policy in line with the recommendations issued in 2015 by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which indicates that the process of legal recognition of gender identity should:
Social inclusionStates have the power, the duty, to put an end to the ordeal faced by trans and gender-diverse persons and foster their inclusion. In addition to the recommendations mentioned above, States should:
Thematic reportsLegal recognition of gender identity and depatologization (2018) The Independent Expert's October 2018 report to the UN General Assembly examines the process of abandoning the classification of certain forms of gender as "pathologies". It clarifies the duty States have to respect, and promote respect of gender recognition as a component of identity. It also highlights some effective measures to ensure respect of gender identity and provides guidance to States on how to address violence and discrimination based on gender identity. View the summary and methodology on the report page Get the full report on legal recognition of gender identity and depathologization View an easy-to-read report summary Socio-cultural and economic inclusion (2019) The Independent Expert's October 2019 report to the UN General Assembly takes a look at social, cultural and economic inclusion of LGBT persons. Addressing their social and economic rights is key to addressing violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The report discusses the dynamics of inclusion and presents conclusions and recommendations for moving forward. View the summary and methodology on the report page Get the full report on socio-cultural and economic inclusion View an easy-to-read report summary StatementsPromote tolerance and diversity, speak out against hate and bigotry (2019) Ÿ Leave no LGBT person behind (2018) Statement on the occasion of International Transgender Day of Visibility (2018) Ÿ Embrace diversity and protect trans and gender diverse children and adolescents (2017) Press releasesUN experts hail move to 'depathologise' trans identities (2019) States must act to stop bullying of LGBT students (2019) "Vicious cycle of hatred" against LGBT people being fuelled daily (2019) Levels of violence against trans people "offend the human conscience" (2018) Some communications specific to gender identity – allegations and States' replies
Search all communications and States' replies in the database. Read about the communication procedure on OHCHR webpage. [1] The Yogyakarta Principles on the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity (2006). Which of the following are most important when considering predictors of good adolescent mental health and well being?Which of the following are most important when considering predictors of good adolescent mental health and well-being? Friends are important, but the research indicates that the main predictor of adolescent mental health is an individual's relationship with their parents.
Which answer best describes Proximodistal development of the embryo in the womb?Proximodistal development describes the general tendency for the development of motor skills to start at the center of an organism and radiate outwards from there. The middle is the first to develop and movement extends outwards from there. Infants will first learn to move their torso and then their arms and legs.
Which of the following is most representative of a child in Jean Piaget's preoperational stage of development?The correct answer is b) A child incorrectly assumes that everyone in a room has the same view of an object that he does. During the pre-operational stage of development, children have an ego-centric view of the world.
What is the defining feature of the period of the fetus quizlet?Homework: What is the defining feature of the period of the embryo? The emergence and development of major bodily systems. The developing organism can first survive outside of the uterus during the period of the fetus, which occurs from the ninth week of gestation until birth.
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