THE INTERSEX PROGRAMME
Overview
The intersex program is dedicated to advocating for and advancing the rights, welfare, and visibility of intersex individuals in Kenya.
It aims to build a supportive environment for intersex persons, recognizing their unique needs and challenges, and working toward a society that embraces diversity in sex characteristics without discrimination.
In essence, each intersex person is one-of-a-kind. According to the UN Office of Human Rights, 1.7 per cent of the world’s population is born with intersex characteristics
In Kenya, until the introduction of the third sex marker "Intersex" in the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census and its formal recognition in the 2022 Children’s Act, the country's laws were strictly binary. This recent progress marks a significant shift, offering intersex individuals newfound legal visibility and inclusion.
Objectives
Promote the recognition, protection, and fulfillment of intersex persons' rights by identifying existing gaps and challenges to ensure they fully enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms.
Strengthen legal frameworks, policies, and service delivery systems to better support intersex persons in Kenya.
Provide accessible and effective care and support services, including safe spaces, psychosocial support, and counseling services tailored to intersex individuals.
Mobilize financial, human, and material resources to expand intersex programs and enable holistic empowerment for community members.
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The program champions the legal rights of intersex individuals, pushing for legal reforms and advocating for policy changes that protect against discrimination and ensure legal recognition of intersex persons. This includes:
Legal Gender Recognition: Advocating for laws that allow intersex individuals to choose or change their gender marker without restrictive or invasive procedures.
Anti-Discrimination Laws: Working with policymakers to incorporate protections for intersex individuals against discrimination in healthcare, employment, and education.
Protection Against Harmful Practices: Campaigning against non-consensual, medically unnecessary surgeries or treatments for intersex children, promoting bodily autonomy and informed consent.
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The program seeks to ensure that intersex persons have access to respectful, knowledgeable, and inclusive healthcare. This includes:
Sensitizing Healthcare Providers: Educating and training healthcare providers on intersex issues to reduce stigma and improve the quality of care provided.
Improving Medical Protocols: Collaborating with health institutions to create inclusive protocols that respect the autonomy of intersex persons, especially in pediatric and reproductive healthcare.
Counseling and Mental Health Services: Providing or facilitating access to mental health support for intersex individuals and their families, addressing issues related to stigma, trauma, and identity.
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To foster a more accepting society, Jinsiangu’s intersex program focuses on raising awareness and educating the public about intersex identities and experiences. This involves:
Community Education: Hosting workshops, seminars, and public events to destigmatize intersex identities and promote understanding of natural variations in sex characteristics.
School and Community Outreach: Engaging schools, community groups, and local organizations to educate young people and communities on intersex issues, aiming to reduce prejudice from an early age.
Media and Advocacy Campaigns: Collaborating with media to represent intersex stories accurately and positively, breaking down stereotypes and building empathy.
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The program emphasizes building a strong support system for intersex persons through:
Peer Support Groups: Facilitating safe spaces for intersex individuals to connect, share experiences, and find mutual support.
Family Support Programs: Offering guidance to families of intersex individuals, helping them to understand and support their intersex family members without stigma or shame.
Resource Development: Creating educational materials, toolkits, and resources that address the specific needs of intersex individuals, covering topics such as legal rights, healthcare navigation, and self-advocacy.
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Recognizing the gaps in data regarding intersex issues in Kenya, the program also engages in research initiatives to:
Gather Evidence on Intersex Issues: Conduct studies to document the experiences, needs, and challenges of intersex individuals in healthcare, education, and the legal system.
Inform Policy and Program Design: Use research findings to shape policies and design programs that are responsive to the real-life situations faced by intersex persons
Core Programme activities
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The overarching goal of Jinsiangu’s intersex program is to create a society that fully recognizes and supports intersex persons. By promoting legal protections, healthcare access, and societal understanding, the program works towards dismantling stigma and fostering respect for intersex individuals’ rights. The department strives to ensure intersex people can thrive, with agency over their bodies, identities, and lives.
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The program actively collaborates with local and international partners, legal bodies, healthcare providers, and advocacy groups to amplify the impact of its initiatives. Moving forward, the department aims to strengthen its policy influence, increase public visibility for intersex issues, and expand its support networks to reach more intersex individuals across Kenya. Through these efforts, Jinsiangu’s intersex program continues to pave the way for long-term, sustainable change.