12 September 2024 — Founding of Helping Education Regarding Orientation (HERO), Malawi
Founded on 12 September 2024 in Malawi by Shammah Solomon, Helping Educating Regarding Orientation (HERO) is a registered, community-based human rights advocacy organisation focusing on intersex persons, sexuality and orientation.
The context in Malawi for intersex people
According to HERO,
“Although sexual orientation and gender identity are integral to a person’s dignity, in Malawi there still exists much discrimination and abuse based on the sexual orientation and gender presentation of intersex people across the country. Several cases are reported every year that show that intersex people are physically assaulted, kidnapped, raped and even murdered. Along with the abuse and physical assault, intersex people in the country also face discrimination in their homes, workplaces, schools and colleges, housing and healthcare.Intersex children and adolescents often face bullying in school, do not always receive parental support at home and may even be thrown out of their homes by their parents. Some of the reasons that result in hatred towards intersex people include:
- Lack of understanding of intersex issues
- Religious practices
- Traditional beliefs
- Political beliefs
Some of the challenges that intersex people face include:
- Having had prior surgery without their consent
- Feelings of distrust
- Ongoing side effects
- Gendered treatment
- Increased cancer risk
- Gendered and discriminatory terms used
- Taking hormones
Intersex people often experience prejudice and discrimination because their bodies do not conform to other people’s expectations about sex and gender.”
Vision
A Malawi where all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression feel seen, safe, valued, included, celebrated, equal and proud, and they can freely exercise their rights and enjoy the highest standard of health and well-being.
Mission
Raise awareness of intersex people’s existence by drawing attention to gender role construction and gender inequity and confronting interconnected “isms” (such as racism, sexism, heterosexism, etc.) To provide a safe and a supportive space for intersex people, empowering our diverse communities to realise their full potential everyday. Our services and activities are a lifetime for those in need.
Values
- Passion – creating peaceful and inclusive spaces for intersex people and communities
- Respect – celebrating what makes us unique and establish trust through inclusivity and
- recognition
- Empowerment – creating a space in which to grow and thrive
- Integrity – holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards, doing what is right for the community
Objectives
- To build and strengthen partnerships and alliances, understanding, solidarity and bridges between those working on human rights and intersex rights in particular, in Malawi and across the globe
- To defend intersex people in Malawi and support their families and communities against all forms of discrimination, exclusion, violence and hate crimes
- To promote intersex people’s sense of security and social cohesion
- To address and respond to the economic struggles, unemployment and other class-based challenges of intersex people
- To enhance collaboration and partnerships between CSOs, fellow human rights organisations and the Government of Malawi
- To take on systems and practices which criminalise or seek to reinforce the criminalisation of intersex people, human rights organisations, knowledge creation, sexual and cultural self-expression(s), and organising for change.
Focus areas / Projects
- Raising awareness about violence, discrimination and stigma towards intersex people
- Advancing and upholding human rights-compliant laws
- Supporting economic, cultural and societal inclusion of intersex people in Malawi
- Supporting intersex people who face unique challenges during crises, conflicts and acute threats to their life
- Strengthening national capability: contributing to having stronger, more resilient, inclusive and sustainable organisations with the technical and legal knowledge and skills
- To make progress on intersex equality and inclusion, to increase their reach, effectiveness, and impact
- Providing technical and legal support for human rights defenders, parliamentarians and government officials for the reform of laws and policies that discriminate against intersex people in Malawi
- Increasing awareness and understanding of intersex rights among duty bearers, diplomats, the media, development and humanitarian workers, religious organisations, the business sector, government, cultural traditional leadership, and amongst parents and families of intersex people in Malawi
- Organising workshops for intersex youth and adults in different regions
- Advocacy, influencing parliamentarians, CSOs and supporting donors, multilaterals and national government to commit to intersex rights through sharing and collating evidence and data to build more coherent approaches to intersex rights, build political will nationally and at regional levels to prioritise intersex rights and scope;
- Supporting influential thought leaders including faith leaders to advocate for local and global reform
- Learning, evidence and advice on understanding the real ‘live’ situation in varied contexts, sharing information on the practical and most effective approaches that work to improve the lives of intersex individuals in Malawi.
Contact
Email: heroitfhero@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +265 888 618 885
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