25 November 2019 — Founding of Intersex Nigeria

Established 25 November 2019, Intersex Nigeria (Center for Healthcare Development and Youth Empowerment) was founded by Obioma Chukwuike in response to the critical need for dedicated support, advocacy and visibility for intersex persons in Nigeria. According to Obioma,

“The organisation was born out of a recognition of the systemic challenges and societal stigmas faced by the intersex community.

We promote and advocate for the sexual reproductive health, self-determination, bodily autonomy and overall human rights of intersex people in Nigeria.

Through community building, advocacy, evidence-based research, empowerment, educational and informational resources on intersex-related issues to the public, partners, stakeholders and our community.

Intersex Nigeria is a body by and for people with intersex variations. We promote the human rights, self-determination and bodily autonomy of intersex people in Nigeria. We build community, evidence, capacity, education and information resources. Our goals are to help create a society where our bodies are not stigmatized and discriminated against, and where our rights as a people are recognized and respected.”

Vision

A society where intersex persons, from birth, have rights to bodily integrity and autonomy and are free from stigma and discrimination.

Mission

To create an enabling society that promotes the visibility, inclusion, bodily autonomy, sexual and reproductive health including mental well-being and human rights of intersex persons in Nigeria, through community organising, research, advocacy, and public engagements using a feminist lens.

Objectives

Advocacy: Lead advocacy efforts and strategies to influence and sustain policies and laws that protect and promote intersex rights.
Information and education: Utilise digital platforms and printed materials to distribute developed accessible educational resources on intersex issues, to broaden public awareness and understanding of intersex rights and needs.
Strategic partnerships: Form strategic partnerships with organizations that align with our mission, through movement building, resource mobilisation, and collaborations to support key human rights initiatives.
Empowerment and support: Establish and maintain a comprehensive support network for intersex persons and their families, through online and in-person forums and activities.
Stakeholder engagement: Increase recognition and support for intersex rights by securing commitments from key stakeholders across healthcare, legal, policy, human rights and other sectors, ensuring their active participation in initiatives for intersex individuals.

Founder and Executive Director of Intersex Nigeria – Obioma Chukwuike

Strategic Priorities

Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights: Intersex Nigeria develops and implements comprehensive sexuality education programs that provide accurate information about sexual and reproductive health, including topics such as contraception, HIV and STI prevention, consent, gender equality, and reproductive rights.
Capacity strengthening and building: The organisation outlines a comprehensive road map for systems strengthening aimed at organisational development, introducing trends of best practices and technology to equip both intersex persons and staff with essential life competency skills.
Human rights and advocacy: Intersex Nigeria conducts thorough research to understand the human rights issues affecting the communities they serve, and documents human rights violations, collect data, and gather testimonies from affected individuals to build evidence for advocacy campaigns.
Movement building and partnership: The organisation collaborates and networks with other rights-based groups and networks to build a resilient intersex movement, enhancing the visibility of intersex persons over time.
Peer and family support: The organisation’s peer and family support focuses on the goals of creating support groups within the NGO where individuals facing similar challenges or experiences can come together to share their stories, provide mutual encouragement, and offer practical advice.

Areas of Work

Raising awareness: Educating the public, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and communities about intersex variations and the harmful effects of genital manipulation surgeries. Raising awareness about the rights of intersex people and the importance of bodily autonomy and self-determination.
Training for healthcare professionals: Providing training and education for healthcare professionals on intersex variations, human rights principles, and best practices for supporting intersex patients and families. Advocate for culturally competent and affirming healthcare services for intersex individuals.
Advocacy for legal protections: Advocate for legal protections against non-consensual medical interventions on intersex individuals, including genital surgeries. Work to ensure that laws and policies uphold the rights of intersex people to make informed decisions about their bodies and healthcare.
Medical ethics and guidelines: Advocate for the development and implementation of medical ethics guidelines that prohibit non-consensual genital surgeries on intersex infants and children. Promote patient-centered care and informed decision-making in healthcare settings.

Contact

Website
+2349129057794
Email: info@intersexnigeria.org
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