This archive report was first published on 28 July 2019.
Kenya is set to make history by collecting data on intersex people in its national population census, a move that has been hailed as a major victory for rights activists.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the upcoming census will include the option for individuals to identify themselves as male, female, or intersex.
The inclusion of a third gender was a recommendation from the task force of Intersex Persons Society of Kenya (IPSK), which has been advocating for the rights of intersex individuals.
“Getting information about intersex people in the census will help people understand the challenges we go through,” said Ryan Muiruri, founder of IPSK.
Intersex people are individuals born with variations in sex characteristics that do not fit the typical definitions for male or female bodies. It is estimated that there are over 700,000 intersex individuals in Kenya, out of a general population of 49 million.
Kenya's decision to collect data on intersex people is a significant step forward for the rights of this marginalized community.
Published on July 28, 2019.
