Gender and Sexuality

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Formations of gender division and their intersection with other inequalities at the heart of our social order reinforces and maintains a hierarchical structure with unequal power dynamics that diminishes the rights and capabilities of women and those with non-binary gender and other sexual identities. These relationships often associated with biological reproduction, and the social reproduction of labor, structure the social arrangements of power relations. This In turn has justified and sustained unequal access to resources and opportunities for many (e.g. women and those who are outside the boundaries of binary classification, namely the LGBTQIA+ community).

A number of capabilities scholars, including Martha Nussbaum, have engaged with issues of gender justice such as violence against women and the LGBTQIA+ community, reduction in work force participation, lack of political representation, and other forms of gender inequalities.  Likewise, Amartya Sen has drawn attention to the social exclusion of some sexual identities and advocated strongly for freedoms for people to be who they are and who they want to be (Human Development Report 2004).

This thematic group aims to provide scholars, researchers and practitioners with a forum to discuss and analyze issues related to gender division, identities and sexualities within the capability framework and from an intersectionality perspective. The group seeks to be inclusive in terms of incorporating debates on multiple gender identities and diverse sexualities and the ways in which they engage with the capabilities approach.