From Intersex Asia, Prashant Singh, Research and UN Advocacy Officer participated in a panel discussion on 23rd August 2024 at the Asia Centre’s 9th International Conference, “Shrinking Civic Space in Asia: Stories of Resistance and Pushback,” held in Bangkok, Thailand. The session aimed to reflect on the emergency response mechanisms adopted by governments across the Asia-Pacific region and their effects on civic freedoms.
During the session, Prashant, along with the co-panelists, highlighted the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on vulnerable populations, including the intersex community. The ongoing global health crisis exposed and exacerbated existing social inequalities, making marginalized groups more vulnerable to both health risks and government-imposed restrictions.
Impact on Civic Freedoms During COVID-19
COVID-19 triggered a wave of emergency laws and policies aimed at controlling the virus’s spread. While some of these measures were necessary for public health, many governments exploited the situation to impose excessive restrictions on civil liberties. In numerous countries across Asia, emergency laws were used to justify broad surveillance, restrict freedom of movement, assembly, and expression, and clamp down on dissent. This trend negatively impacted civil society organizations (CSOs) and individuals advocating for human rights and social justice.
In the presentation, Prashant stressed that marginalized communities, particularly the intersex community, faced unique challenges during the pandemic. These included barriers to accessing healthcare, discrimination in relief efforts, and exclusion from policy-making processes. The lack of inclusive governance models often meant that the specific needs of intersex people were ignored or inadequately addressed, further marginalizing these groups during a period of global crisis.
Lessons for Future Crises: The Need for Inclusive and Transparent Governance
The panel discussion emphasized the need to learn from the missteps during COVID-19 to ensure better preparedness for future crises. One crucial lesson is the importance of inclusive governance, where the voices of marginalized communities, such as intersex people, are heard and incorporated into decision-making processes. Effective emergency responses require collaboration between governments, civil society, and affected communities to ensure that interventions are equitable and just.
The Role of Community-Led Organizations during Emergency Situations
Civil society organizations, particularly those led by marginalized groups, played an essential role during the pandemic. Intersex-led organizations, for example, were pivotal in providing accurate information, healthcare support, and advocacy for the rights of intersex individuals. However, the restrictive measures also hindered their operations, reducing their ability to mobilize resources, carry out advocacy, and provide services to their communities.
The discussion also highlighted the resilience of these organizations in adapting to new challenges, using digital platforms to continue their work and maintain connections with their communities. However, digital tools also brought new challenges, such as digital surveillance and cyber threats. There was a call for more robust digital security measures to protect the privacy and freedom of civil society actors operating in these spaces.
Conclusion: Building Resilience for Future Emergency Situations
The COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted an unprecedented toll on intersex people in Asia. The situation became even worse given the lack of support from governments. However, the scale and severity of the unique challenges suffered by the intersex communities were not meaningfully captured by any of the published reports and studies. To address this knowledge gap, the international intersex community came out with regional reports which offer evidence of the extent to which the intersex community has been affected. OII Europe led the process of drafting the survey questionnaire which was revised by other regional intersex organisations.
The COVID-19 pandemic has offered numerous lessons for safeguarding civic freedoms in future crises. It has underscored the need for inclusive, transparent governance and robust legal frameworks that protect the rights of all citizens, including the most marginalized. As we look ahead, it is essential to build on these lessons to create more resilient societies that can withstand future challenges without compromising on human rights and civic freedoms.
Going forward, governments should revisit their policy response towards the pandemic and take lessons to devise more inclusive measures in the pandemic as well as day-to-day governance. The wreckage caused by this pandemic cannot be healed without taking into account the most left behind sections such as intersex people. Besides, Intersex Asia has released a comprehensive report detailing the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Intersex individuals, which highlights the unique challenges faced by Intersex Individuals. To read the complete report, click here.
