Commitment to Inclusivity and Non-Discrimination Leads to Reevaluation of Funding
By Dolores Quintana
In a recent statement, the World Bank Group expressed its strong disapproval of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, citing a significant contradiction with the organization’s core values.
The press release stated, “The World Bank is firmly committed to its mission of eradicating poverty on a sustainable planet, emphasizing inclusivity for all individuals, regardless of factors such as race, gender, or sexuality. The new Ugandan law is seen as a threat to these fundamental principles and the organization’s global efforts to promote inclusion and non-discrimination.”
Following the enactment of the law, the World Bank dispatched a team to Uganda to assess its existing portfolio within the framework of this legislation. The review determined that supplementary measures are imperative to ensure that projects adhere to the World Bank’s stringent environmental and social standards.
The primary objective of the World Bank is to safeguard the rights and well-being of sexual and gender minorities, ensuring they are not subjected to discrimination or exclusion in projects funded by the World Bank. The World Bank stated that discussions with Ugandan authorities regarding the implementation of these measures are ongoing.
The statement concludes that the World Bank’s decision on the matter is not to present any new public financing proposals for Uganda to its Board of Executive Directors until the effectiveness of these additional measures has been assessed. Moreover, the organization will enhance its third-party monitoring mechanisms and grievance redress procedures, thereby providing a more comprehensive framework for taking corrective actions when required.
