As a leading force for intersex human rights in Asia, Intersex Asia, through its impactful Organizational Development (OD) Support Initiative in 2025, has funded its partner organization, The Voice of Intersex India (VoIS). Based in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, and founded on October 26, 2023, in alignment with Global Intersex Awareness Day, VoIS has a vital mission: to protect and promote the rights of the intersex community in India by advocating for legal changes, amplifying their voices, and strengthening the intersex movement.
This alliance between Intersex Asia and VoIS is a powerful testament to the commitment to empower intersex individuals, advocate for their rights, and enhance their overall well-being in society. Led by VoIS, this OD support initiative is focused on several key objectives aiming to improve the landscape for intersex in Asia, including:
- Strengthen Community Capacity: To empower the intersex community through training in advocacy, documentation, and leading social media-mediated awareness campaigns.
- Advocate for Social Inclusion: To advocate with the Social Welfare department to ensure intersex persons have access to and inclusion in social schemes and entitlements currently restricted to trans persons.
- Advocate for Affirming Healthcare: To push for intersex-affirming healthcare policies and practices among providers, building on the foundation of a landmark 2019 High Court verdict against non-essential genital surgeries on infants with intersex variations in India.
What has been achieved through this project?
The achievements of this project have been nothing short of inspiring, including:
- Community Empowerment: The project prioritized internal capacity building, successfully training 10 intersex adults to share their stories and deep knowledge of their journeys. Additionally, over 20 family members were sensitized, ensuring a more informed and supportive community network.
- Awareness Programs: Sensitization and awareness programs were conducted across both 3 private sector and 3 government healthcare facilities. These sessions were particularly impactful, with many healthcare professionals—especially upcoming doctors, post-graduates, and students—stating it was their first opportunity to meet intersex persons and hear about their lives.
- Advocacy for Inclusion: Conducted advocacy meetings with the Local Government for the inclusion of intersex individuals in state and Union Government welfare schemes, marking a significant stride toward social equity and justice.
- Collaboration with Tamil Nadu Ministries: Engaged with the Tamil Nadu Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Health Ministry as a welfare Board Member and Policy drafting committee member. This engagement advocated for the introduction of a separate ID card for intersex individuals, as well as for reserved opportunities in education and employment.
- Mental Health and Well-Being Initiatives: To enhance the well-being of intersex individuals, VoIS organized workshops in partnership with mental health experts and legal policymakers. This initiative successfully empowered around 20 intersex individuals to overcome their fears, feelings of isolation, and self-stigma.
Mx. Vino Dhan, Founder and Executive Director of VoiS India, says, “This specific Organizational Development (OD) project has proven to be highly impactful for VoiS, as it not only enhances our operational capacity but also plays a vital role in supporting the intersex community. As we look to the future, it is important to consider the strategic steps that Intersex Asia can take to build on this momentum, strengthen advocacy, and improve the lives of intersex individuals across the region.”
What is the Path Forward for Intersex Human Rights in Asia?
Intersex Asia prioritizes community building and insists on supporting intersex-led organizations to grow and speak for themselves. The organization remains fully committed to collaborating with VoIS India to enhance the understanding of intersex individuals among political factions and government offices. Such comprehension is crucial for the development of inclusive and effective legislation that respects the rights of intersex persons at the national level.
Moving forward, we will assist VoIS India in orchestrating impactful public awareness campaigns to educate lawmakers, community leaders, and the broader public on important intersex issues. Furthermore, we will continue to conduct evidence-based research to build a strong foundation for intersex-led organizations to promote national advocacy for intersex in Asia. Together, we strive not only to raise awareness but also to transform societal perceptions, ensuring that intersex individuals can navigate a world where their bodily autonomy and rights are wholly respected and protected.
