Kenya has taken a historic step toward inclusivity and human rights by officially recognising intersex as a third gender on birth notification certificates.
This step, reported in this newspaper, is a long-overdue victory for intersex individuals and advocacy groups that have fought tirelessly for their rights.
The recognition is more than a bureaucratic adjustment. It is a profound acknowledgement of the existence and dignity of intersex persons, who have long been marginalised.
For years, families with intersex children have faced stigma, forcing many to conceal their identities.
The 2019 census recorded only 1,524 intersex individuals, but estimates from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights suggest the real number could be closer to 1.4 million.
However, challenges remain.
While legal recognition is crucial, intersex persons still face social discrimination and medical injustices, including forced surgeries and lack of tailored healthcare.
The ongoing initiative to secure legal protections and delink intersex identity from LGBTQ controversies is a critical step in ensuring that intersex children receive the support they need without unnecessary stigmatization.
HISTORICAL QUOTE
“In the end, each of us is alone, but in the meantime, we must all huddle together to give one another comfort and warmth.”
SIDNEY SHELDON
The American novelist and playwright was born on February 11, 1917