Equality in Action
Save the Children has a long-standing commitment to ensure that all children – irrespective of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) – enjoy their universal human rights and dignity.
“Humanity owes the child the best it has to give.” Eglantyne Jebb, Save the Children Founder
As a child rights organization, we know the consequences of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) are harmful and multiply throughout a child’s lifetime – even across generations. These impacts are particularly acute for individuals whose SOGIESC differ from the norms in their society, which is often the case for LGBTQI+ children and adults. Thus, we work to build a world where sexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, interphobia, and other intersecting forms of oppression do not limit a child’s life path and choices; a world where all children are safe, affirmed, and loved.
In 2019, Save the Children launched a SOGIE Policy Position Statement, underscoring the organization’s commitment to “support the rights of all children, whatever their SOGIE[SC], to safety, protection, participation and to be free from discrimination, persecution and violence.” The spirit of this policy is rooted in the legacy of its founder, Eglantyne Jebb. She was an outspoken champion for children, notably resulting in her drafting the historic Declaration of the Rights of the Child (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child). A foundational pillar of the UNCRC is non-discrimination (Article 2), including on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex status.
To learn more about Save the Children’s work on SOGIESC, explore the newly launched collection, showcasing the organization’s latest initiatives and progress.
Countering strong head winds – anti-gender movements
The rights of LGBTQI+ children and youth are increasingly under attack by well-organized, well-funded anti-gender groups, that are operating across borders[1]. The UN independent expert on sexual orientation and gender identity (UNIESOGI) recognizes a significant rise in efforts across the globe by these anti-gender movements to target the rights of individuals based on their SOGIESC – with a particularly devastating impact on children’s bodily autonomy and integrity and on their access to comprehensive sexuality education.
Studies have documented the harmful impacts of these groups, highlighting strategies and resources employed on a wide scale. For instance, the Global Philanthropy Project and Elevate Children Funders Group’s report shows how anti-gender groups weaponize children to undermine gender justice and human rights. These movements actively work to hinder progress and uphold oppressive ideologies.
This discourse further exploits children to serve their agenda while simultaneously undermining children’s own agency and their rights as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. For a more comprehensive analysis, explore the findings in the report.
Translating Commitments to Action: Advancing LGBTQI+ Equality in Nepal
In the light of this worrisome trend, Save the Children remains steadfast in our commitment to support the rights of all children, whatever their SOGIESC, as we counter anti-gender movements and groups that are in direct opposition to our vision of a more just and equal world for all children.
Nepal is often touted as a beacon of hope for LGBTQI+ rights in Southeast Asia. With the legalization of same-sex marriage and constitutional protections, it has made significant strides in advancing LGBTQI+ equality. However, increasing incidents of homophobia and transphobia reveal a growing antagonism toward the LGBTQI+ community, threatening to undermine this progress. The rise of anti-gender movements in South Asia further jeopardizes the LGBTQI+ movement, exposing a divided society where support and opposition to LGBTQI+ rights coexist.
To counter these harmful narratives and protect LGBTQI+ children from their impacts, Save the Children Nepal works alongside and follows the lead of long-standing local/national partners, such as Blue Diamond Society – a pioneering LGBTQI+ rights organization. Save the Children Nepal takes an inside-out approach to advancing gender equality and social justice, inclusive of SOGIESC, and this is demonstrable of how to translate organizational commitment to action on LGBTQI+ equality.
Save the Children recognizes the inextricable link between how we operate as an organization (i.e. as evidenced by policies, practices and culture) and its impact on our programming and advocacy efforts. For instance, the Nepal office conducted an organizational gender equality self-assessment. One key recommendation stemming from the assessment included the need for all-gender restrooms. The Nepal office has since established all-gender restrooms in the office, contributing to a more inclusive working environment.
Within the country, Save the Children Nepal has used an edutainment-based strategy to inform, educate, and foster acceptance of LGBTQI+ children. A groundbreaking web series, “Becoming,” featuring real-life stories of LGBTQI+ young people, has facilitated community dialogues about LGBTQI+ issues.
The series is also available in Maithali language, available to view in this hyperlink.
Both actors have implemented training and orientation programs for teachers, to ensure that LGBTQI+ children are safeguarded in school settings. This training has helped build understanding and increased accountability among teachers, protecting LGBTQI+ children from violence and bullying. Additionally, Save the Children Nepal and Blue Diamond Society, have successfully advocated for the inclusion of SOGIESC topics in the grade 7 curriculum and lobbied local governments to provide social protection for LGBTQI+ children.
Lastly, another initiative, jointly led by Save the Children Nepal and Blue Diamond Society, is the “Rainbow Parents” groups. These safe spaces allow parents to interact, share experiences, and support each other in understanding LGBTQI+ issues. Many parents have found these sessions to be a form of informal counseling, helping them to better accept their children and provide a safe, supportive environment.
These are just a few examples of how Save the Children Nepal is advancing LGBTQI+ equality in programming and advocacy, through local/national partnerships, and even internal to the organization.
Accelerate Action for LGBTQI+ Equality
In 2024, Save the Children U.S. launched an exciting inaugural “Accelerate Action for LGBTQI+ Equality” small grants program. The program provides Save the Children country offices with flexible funding to operationalize the organization’s commitment to LGBTQI+ equality. The catalytic funding supports offices in their efforts to 1) shift power – specifically, expand and deepen local/national partnerships with LGBTQI+ rights organizations, groups and/or networks); 2) conduct formative research to ensure that programming and advocacy approaches are evidence-based and do no harm; and 3) operationalize recommendations, with aim to scale good approaches and practices.
Nepal and Bhutan country offices received catalytic funding in 2024 and will be conducting research to “Address Unmet Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Needs of LGBTQI+ Children and Youth.” In both contexts there are significant gaps in understanding the barriers that LGBTQI+ children and youth face in accessing mental health services. Despite the critical need for mental health support within the LGBTQI+ community, there is a notable absence of systematic research that addresses the unique challenges faced by LGBTQI+ individuals, particularly those identifying as lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LBTI). The overall aim of the research is to generate evidence and provide actionable recommendations to bolster mental health-seeking behavior and practices among LGBTIQ+ children and youth. Watch this space as research findings will be disseminated in early 2025.
Stay updated on our SOGIESC work
For more information on Save the Children’s work, please refer to and explore our newly launched SOGIESC Collection. This Collection serves as a repository that showcases Save the Children’s work to advance LGBTQI+ equality from the inside-out, including its programming, partnerships, advocacy and research. This Collection is updated regularly.