Decolonising sexual citizenship: who will effect change in the south of the Commonwealth?

Colin Robinson argues that it is ill-judged to place too much emphasis on law and litigation as a means of advancing sexual autonomy in the Global South of the Commonwealth. The rhetorical handwringing and neo-colonial undertones of western NGOs and campaign groups do nothing to foster southern-based local and sub-regional solutions to the achievement of sexual citizenship and sexual emancipation. If Global North advocates wish to be part of the movement to end ‘sexual apartheid’, they must resist the temptation to take the reins. They must engage in genuine North-South dialogue and international solidarity. They need to get behind Global South initiatives and push in the directions carved out by southern activists.