2024 was a major year for Intersex Asia, filled with many milestones and achievements. This year also marked Intersex Asia’s sixth anniversary, preparing us for the new journey ahead. As we move to 2025 with pride, let’s look back at each milestone and relive the moments that made Intersex Asia’s 2024 so incredible.
Highlights of an incredible year
Intersex Asia’s 6th Anniversary
First established at the International Intersex Forum in 2018 as an agreement between several activists and regional organizations, Intersex Asia has achieved numerous significant milestones over the past six years, underscoring our impact and commitment to positive change and improving the visibility of intersex communities across Asia.
Our collective efforts have weathered severe challenges and navigated monumental changes. Yet, our strong dedication to advancing the rights and fostering acceptance for the intersex community remains at the core of our mission as we embark on 2025 and beyond!
We are determined to raise awareness, educate the public, and push for policies that support intersex individuals, ensuring that their voices are heard and their rights are upheld. Together, we will strive to create a more inclusive and equitable society for everyone.
The adoption of the first-ever United Nations Human Rights Council resolution to protect the human rights of intersex people
The United Nations made a historic move to protect the human rights of intersex persons as the Human Rights Council adopted its first-ever resolution, specifically addressing discrimination, violence, and harmful practices against persons with innate variations in sex characteristics.
The resolution – brought by Finland, South Africa, Chile, and Australia – encourages States to “work to realize the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health” for intersex people. Intersex Asia is honored to be one of the organization endorsing the resolution and supporting the process from day one.
We believe that promoting the health and well-being of Intersex Individuals is essential for achieving equality and human rights for all, and we are committed to continuing our advocacy efforts in this area.
Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges
Intersex Asia partnered with Campaign for Change to organize English training for the Nepal intersex community. This initiative aims to address language barriers, empower the intersex community, open the door to education and job opportunities, and help tell their stories beyond borders.
This training, in turn, opens up avenues for them to share their diverse experiences and stories, broadening the understanding of Intersex issues not only within Nepal but also beyond its borders. Through this collaborative effort, Intersex Asia and Campaign for Change hope to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for the Intersex community.
Knowing is Loving – Intersex Asia’s IDAHOBIT campaign
To truly love and support the intersex community, we need to first understand their needs, challenges, hopes, and dreams. This year’s IDAHOBIT, Intersex Asia, was proud to run a brief social media campaign, “Knowing is Loving,” to contribute to the awareness of intersexuality and challenge the invisibility and marginalization that the intersex community has faced for a long time. The campaign received favorable feedback from the community, inspiring other intersex movements in the region.
This innovative campaign has not only resonated within our Intersex community but also inspired various Intersex movements in the region to take a stand and advocate for Intersex rights. Together, we are working towards a future where Intersex individuals are recognized, celebrated, and supported.
Inspiring Action Through Research
In May, Intersex Asia and Egale Canada launched a new set of reports on intersex rights and services in South Asian countries (India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan). Later in October, the reports for Southeast Asian countries (Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, The Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam) were launched to celebrate Intersex Awareness Day.
This research project aims to shed light on the challenges faced by intersex people in the region, highlighting initiatives to protect the right to bodily integrity and promote awareness and medical sensitization.
Intersex Asia at the Pride Philippines!
As the Philippines vibrates with Pride, Intersex Asia is also joining with passion! This year, Intersex Asia joined forces with Intersex Philippines, doctors, and parents of intersex children in the Philippines to call for understanding, support, and acceptance.
Intersex Asia and Intersex Philippines to organize the forum with intersex children with CAH in the Philippines and officially call for support from the Ministry of Health. This initiative seeks to ensure that Intersex Individuals receive appropriate medical care and social support, promoting their well-being and rights within the healthcare system and society as a whole.
Intersex Asia hosted the “Strategic Summit of Global Intersex Movement”
Supported by the Intersex Human Rights Fund, the Strategic Summit of the Global Intersex Movement was convened by the Intersex Strategic Planning Network and hosted by Intersex Asia in Bangkok, Thailand, between 17th and 19th September 2024.
The Summit brought together 32 intersex activists, leaders, and advocates worldwide.
The primary objective of this event was to share insights, build solidarity, establish action points for the future, and plan for the fifth International Intersex Forum (5IIF)
It successfully established an organizing committee tasked with overseeing the planning and execution of the fifth Forum, scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.
Intersex Asia at major regional and global convenings
Throughout the year, the Intersex Asia team, including the Board and staff, has actively engaged in various regional and global conferences to continue voicing the needs and challenges of the intersex community in Asia.
Some notable conferences that we participated in include those focused on Human rights, Health, and Social equality, where we shared our experiences, engaged with stakeholders, and collaborated with other organizations to promote awareness and inclusion for Intersex Individuals. These events have been vital in amplifying our message and pushing for necessary changes within policies and societal attitudes for Intersex communities.
Some of the significant conferences include:
- Financial Framework Partnership Agreements (FFPAs) Workshop, taking place from 15 to 17 April 2024 in Brussels
- Global Link and Learn Festival, hosted by The Constellation and Voice Global.
- Asia Centre’s 9th International Conference, “Shrinking Civic Space in Asia: Stories of Resistance and Pushback,” held in Bangkok, Thailand between 22-24 August, 2024
- From 26 to 28 September 2024: The First Asia-Pacific and Third National (India) Conference on LGBTQI+ Health.
- From 11 to 15 November 2024: ILGA World Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.
- International Advisory Committee (IAC) for the POP program
- ADB Learning Week in Manila
- From 2 to 5 December 2024: AWID International Forum in Bangkok, Thailand
Build up information resources for the intersex community in Asia
Having proper knowledge and understanding about intersex is still a critical priority in our advocacy agenda. In 2024, Intersex Asia has focused our efforts on further developing an online information resource hub for the intersex community and allies, including many 101 materials, a brand new website, and a centralized data portal for research information, educational and materials aimed at increasing awareness, and comprehensive guides to support individuals and their families.
Our goal is to empower the intersex community while providing allies with the information they need to foster understanding and support.
2024 was a wonderful and fruitful year for both Intersex Asia and the intersex community. We have learned and achieved so much, yet there’s still much more to do and advocate. Intersex people are still facing challenges and discrimination across the region. We will not stop here! In 2025 and the coming years, our team will further invest in community building and cross-movement programs to connect, nurture, and ensure intersex people can live the lives they are truly meant to!
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