More than 100 activisits marched to Parliament on Wednesday
to celebrate the International Day of the Intersex Child for the first time in Kenya.
Intersex Awareness Day was set aside for grassroots action to end shame, secrecy and unwanted genital cosmetic surgeries on intersex children.
The day also provides an opportunity for reflection and political action for the sake of the intersex community.
The activists carried placards written "let me be", "intersex rights are human rights" and "voice of inter-sex children" in their march from Michuki Park.
The group led by Nominated MP Isaac Mwaura and Gamafrica Foundation founder Gathoni wa Muchomba also shouted
"no cause can justify the abuse of human rights".
The intersex persons asked the National assembly to pass laws that address their needs.
Muchomba, who is also a Kameme FM presenter,
said it is time for those living with more than one genital organ to speak out and seek acceptance from the world.
"We are asking parents of intersex children not to specify their gender to avoid wrong assignment," she said.
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The MP
urged the registrar of persons to take immediate administrative action to recognise intersex people in the country.
"Mwaura has also petitioned Parliament to have ID cards issued to intersex children to make the government accept the fact that intersex persons are here to stay," said Muchomba.
She noted they have
recorded a total 132 intersex cases. Out of this number, 60 per cent dropped out of school because of the harassment by peers and their teachers.
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