Intersex and the International Women’s Day-8th March

International Women’s Day was first held in the early 1990s as a milestone for feminist activism to demand equality in work conditions, salary, and the right to engage in the social movement. Since then, IWD is no longer bound to any specific country, group, or organization. The day has become an event to celebrate women’s contributions worldwide. However, it’s even more important now to remind people of the core value of IWD and how it has now evolved to include all women, embrace their diversity, and incorporate a broader spectrum of gender identity, including intersex individuals.

Historically, intersex individuals have endured discrimination and stigmatization. Intersex people are born with a variety of differences in their sex traits and reproductive anatomy. We come from diverse backgrounds and can have various gender identities, including identifying as male, female, non-binary, or transgender. In the early 20th century, intersex variations not associated with visible genital differences were often overlooked, contributing to the invisibility of the intersex community. Medical advancements in the mid-20th century made the surgical alteration of intersex bodies possible, and from that came the enforcement of binary gender assignments through the non-consensual surgeries performed on intersex children, all to conform to the arbitrary norm. For such a long time, that enforcement resulted in heavy stigma and concealment. However, by the 1990s, advocacy organizations began to advocate for intersex rights, for increased engagement of intersex individuals in decision-making processes, and for promoting routine disclosure. Today, there has been a shift toward recognizing intersex individuals as valuable members of communities deserving respect and recognition.

At Intersex Asia, we support intersex individuals to live true to who they are and celebrate their contribution and effort toward a more inclusive and accepting society. Therefore, International Women’s Day is an important event for us and all intersex community to once again reaffirm that Intersex women are women, and should be recognized and protected! By promoting inclusivity and amplifying the voices of marginalized groups, such as intersex individuals, IWD can truly embody its essence of uniting women to fight for equal rights. This approach aligns with the evolving nature of feminist movements towards greater diversity and representation to achieve genuine equality for all women, regardless of race, color, and gender identity.

The fight for women’s equality shouldn’t be limited and defined by sex characteristics. Instead, we should embrace and inspire inclusivity. All women, including intersex women, should feel a sense of belonging and empowerment during this day. Let’s work toward a more inclusive and accepting world for women, regardless of age, race, or identity!” – said Hiker Chiu, Executive Director of Intersex Asia.

Moving forward, more efforts should be directed toward amplifying the voices of intersex women, addressing the unique challenges they face, and advocating for policies that protect their rights and dignity. In December, Intersex Asia released an updated Asian Intersex Statement, reaffirming the existence of intersex people and calling for urgent actions from human rights institutions, governments, and non-profit organizations to acknowledge and support the rights of intersex people and push for meaningful change in the region. This statement continues to be our key driver to enlighten our path toward a better world for the intersex community. 

Stand with us, stand with Intersex women, stand with all women across the globe, celebrate their contributions, and fight for their rights! 

#IntersexHumanRight