Gender stereotypes are harmful for everyone, says United Nations Women representative Sandra Bernklau.
Speaking at the launch of the Fiji National University’s sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) education and human rights training, she said stereotypes restricted people from creating a respectful and non-violent relationship.
“Stereotypes create a society where persons with diverse sexual orientation and gender identity are told to hide their true selves, are shamed for being themselves, are forced into relationships they do not want and at worse, face extreme forms of violence including corrective rape,” she said.
Ms Bernklau said it was devastating to witness people growing up and understanding gender only in the most basic manner. “Gender binary and identification of humans in only boys and girls, men and women categories has caused a tragic history of human rights abuses against persons who do not fit into the stereotypes of boys and girls.”
She said the basis of all human relationships was respect and dignity for all.
“We need to create a society which focuses on our strengths and abilities and does not divide us by our diversity and differences.
“Looking at the world through a lens of respect and understanding diversity will lead to better outcomes for everyone as it will change the binary world we all grew up in,” she added.
