Kenya has made a groundbreaking step by officially acknowledging inters@x individuals as a third gender.
This historic move allows children identified as inters@x to have their gender recorded as such on birth certificates, alongside male and female options.
The progressive law, which came into effect in 2022, introduced an ‘I’ gender marker on identity documents, granting inters@x individuals equal rights and official recognition.
This makes Kenya the first country in Africa to extend such recognition to inters@x people.
Equal Rights and Protections
The new legislation emphasizes the need for inters@x children to be treated with dignity and ensures they have equal access to essential services, such as education and healthcare.
Additionally, it includes provisions to protect inters@x children from unnecessary s@x normalisation surgeries. Only a qualified medical professional can now recommend such procedures.
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Human Rights Activists Celebrate
Human rights advocates have welcomed this development, praising it as a significant victory for inters@x rights in Kenya.
Jedidah Wakonyo, a human rights lawyer, highlighted that the law offers a detailed definition of inters@x individuals and safeguards their rights throughout their lives, from childhood to adulthood.
“This law not only recognises inters@x people but also ensures their protection and inclusion in society. It is a monumental step toward eliminating discrimination and upholding their human rights,” Wakonyo remarked.
A Victory for the Inters@x Community
For Kenya’s inters@x community, this development marks a long-awaited milestone in their fight for recognition and equality.
The law enables inters@x individuals to live authentically without fear of discrimination or being forced to conform to binary gender categories.
By officially recognising inters@x as a third gender, Kenya has set an example for the continent and beyond, demonstrating its commitment to advancing human rights and embracing diversity.
