In 2013, Sexuality Policy Watch began a new line of work aimed at critically examining how sexuality, gender and human rights are located in the context of novel geopolitical and economic formations, or the so called emerging powers, in particular ‘BRICS’ and IBSA. We have therefore invited partners in research and activism, based in the global South, to initiate a cross country effort aimed at better understanding how these domains of social and political life are not being addressed by academic debates around the emerging powers and, most principally, in their formal policy agenda.
As part of this effort SPW has attended the Civil Society Dialogue organized in parallel to the VI Summit of the Presidents of BRICS Countries in Fortaleza (July 14th-17th, 2014). From the point of SPW analytical frame it is not at all trivial that Fortaleza BRICS Summit Declaration included in its paragraph 57 language on gender equality, women’s and youth rights, sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights to all, but elicited the mention to sexual rights. We also call attention to the Declaration of Women’s and Feminist Movements and to the letter issued by Brazilian human rights organizations.
SPW participation in the Fortaleza Civil Society Dialogues will unfold into various products: a video package documenting the Dialogues produced in partnership with Fábrica de Imagens (a local Fortaleza NGO), an analyses of the Summit Declaration and of its repercussions in national contexts, a political ethnography of civil society and social movements dynamics and views on BRICS politics and development policies, in particular in respect gender, sexuality and human rights. For the time being we share with you a nice collection of photos.
