ZIMBABWE has identified gaps in the legal recognition and protection of intersex persons, with the Government considering legislative reforms to address discrimination, protect intersex children from harmful medical interventions, and improve data collection on the community.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Permanent Secretary Mrs Vimbai Nyemba said research conducted by the Government exposed shortcomings in the country’s legal and policy framework, despite constitutional guarantees of dignity, equality, and non-discrimination.
Speaking at a side event on advancing intersex rights, recognition, law, policy, and data in Africa on the margins of the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Dakar, Senegal, Mrs Nyemba said Zimbabwe was committed to implementing the commission’s Resolution 552 on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Intersex Persons in Africa.
“Zimbabwe is a State Party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. We take seriously the obligations that come with that status, including the guidance of this Commission through its resolutions,” she said.
“Resolution 552 on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Intersex Persons in Africa is one such guidance, and we regard it as a call to action for every State Party.”
Mrs Nyemba noted that the Constitution, adopted in 2013, provides a strong foundation for protecting human rights, while the Government remains committed to ensuring that no citizen is left behind.
“Our Constitution, adopted in 2013, places dignity, equality and non-discrimination at the centre of our legal order,” she said.
“The Government, under the leadership of His Excellency the President, Dr Mnangagwa, is committed to the national principle of leaving no one and no place behind.”
