From 2-5 December 2024, the Intersex Asia team and Board members participated in the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) Forum 2024. The Forum was a highlight of the Feminist movement globally and was a major gathering for Feminist Human Rights activists, organizations, and allies. Intersex Asia’s engagement in AWID Forum 2024 includes both co-hosting panel sessions, and building partnerships with potential allies in the sector. It was a truly remarkable event for networking, collaboration, and shared commitment to advancing feminist ideals and intersex rights on a global scale.
Day 1 – Reunion and reconnect!
The first day was brimming with the reunion of the intersex community, partners, and allies. Though we all work toward the same goal, events like this are a great chance to reconnect with like-minded activists and remind ourselves of solidarity, collaboration, and the value of the common goal in the intersex movement. This first day is also an opportunity for us to explore new areas in the activism movement, including funding mechanisms, Indigenous communities, social data, and representation in technology like AI.
Day 2 – Understanding Intersexuality
The second day was filled with passionate sessions from Intersex Asia’s Board members, Jeff Cagandahan and Esan Regmi. The morning session, “ My body, my superpower”, in which Jeff participated as a panelist, shed new light on the stories of intersex individuals and their challenges at a young age. Jeff’s story was a highlight as it proved intersex people are powerful and can lead a strong and successful life, despite enormous challenges and discrimination.
“Intersex is not Gender Identity, but it is a Sexual Characteristic. It is a must to raise awareness about intersex identities and experiences to reduce the stigma and discrimination that Intersex individuals may face. By fostering a more informed society, we can promote acceptance and ensure that intersex individuals are treated with respect and dignity.” Jeff shared during his speech.
Our engagement continued with the afternoon session, “Human Rights in Motion: Interactive Workshop on Bodily Integrity & Autonomy.” This workshop took a different approach than usual speech sessions, in which we invited participants from various backgrounds to form several groups and discuss their experiences and perspectives regarding bodily integrity and autonomy compared to intersex activists. This was an eye-opening experience for many participants as they could see how challenging intersex individuals have to fight to have control over their bodies, even at a young age.
“My body, my rights, and my autonomy are fundamental principles that underpin the respect for Intersex Individual’s freedom and dignity. It emphasizes the importance of each person having control over their own physical being, making choices regarding their health, well-being, and personal decisions without external interference or coercion. Upholding these rights is crucial in fostering a society where every individual, including Intersex Individuals, can thrive, express themselves freely, and pursue their life goals without fear or discrimination. It is essential to advocate for policies and actions that protect these rights for everyone.” – Esan Regmi, Board member of Intersex Asia shared during the session.
Day 3: Rise together
On day 3, the Intersex Asia team continued with the mission to build up cross-movement efforts further, expanding our vision not only within the intersex community but also in partnership with other vulnerable communities like women fighting for abortion rights, people with disability, and transmen. The session “Choice Matter: Navigating Autonomy and Decision Making in Diverse Realities” with our Executive Director, Hiker Chiu as the panelist was an inspiring effort to connect and bridge understanding between different movements.
“ In response to the many challenges faced by our intersex community—such as visibility, acceptance, and access to appropriate healthcare—we must celebrate our rich diversity and resilience. Together, we can create a supportive environment that empowers Intersex individuals and promotes understanding. Our goal is to work towards a future filled with hope and equality, where Intersex Individuals can live life to the fullest.” Hiker said.
On the last day of the AWID Forum 2024, the Intersex Asia team made it on stage for a call to solidarity and unity in support of intersex communities in Asia and worldwide. Despite the short 4 days at the conference, it was a fruitful experience for Intersex Asia. We returned home with a wealth of new partnerships, valuable connections, and profound inspirations. Our experiences have fueled our mission to work toward a future where all Intersex Individuals are empowered and can live their life to the fullest.
