2026 — An interview with Intersex Activist from Voie Divine, Niger
Valentin (middle name used to protect the activist) is a young Beninese person who was born and raised in Niger. His childhood was marked by stigma, misunderstandings, and many questions related to his experience as an intersex person. For a long time, he tried to understand who he was in a society where differences are often poorly understood. Over time, he learned to accept himself and transform his lived experience into a source of advocacy.
Today, his commitment is to raise public awareness about the reality of intersex people. He wants people to understand that being intersex is not a choice: it is how one is born. Through his testimony and his activism, he works towards greater understanding of human bodily variations, the fight against prejudice, and the respect for the dignity and rights of all intersex people.
To begin simply, could you tell me about yourself?
“My name is Valentin. I was born in Niger and grew up there, although my family origins are from Benin. My parents settled in Niger for professional reasons before I was born, and it is here that I have built my entire life. I am an intersex person, an activist, and the founder of Voie Divine, an organisation that raises awareness about intersex realities in Niger. My commitment was born from my personal experience. For a long time, I lived without truly understanding who I was. I faced stigma, mockery, insults, exclusion, and misunderstanding. Today, I work so that other intersex people can have access to the information, support, and acceptance that I sometimes lacked during my childhood and adolescence.”
When you look back, what are the earliest memories you have of growing up and understanding yourself?
“When I think back to my childhood, what I remember most is a feeling of being different that I could not explain. From a very young age, I noticed that certain things in my life were different from those of other children. I asked myself many questions about who I was, but I could not find answers. At that time, I knew nothing about being intersex. I only knew that there was something I did not understand about my identity and my body. This feeling of not being like others stayed with me throughout much of my childhood.”
As a child, how did you experience your body, your identity, and the way people around you responded to you?
“My childhood was marked by many questions about my body and my identity. I felt different without being able to explain why. I was simply looking to be accepted like other children, but this was not always easy. The way others looked at me had a significant impact on me. Some people saw me as different, and this sometimes resulted in mockery, insults, or rejection. As a child, I did not understand why this was happening to me. These experiences sometimes affected my confidence and pushed me to search for more answers about my identity.”
Were there moments in your early life that confused you, or made you feel different before you had words for it?
“Yes, several moments deeply marked my childhood and adolescence. Some memories remain particularly painful. I remember that some people tried to forcibly check what was underneath my clothes or underwear because they had doubts or questions about my body. These situations were extremely humiliating and traumatic for me. I did not understand why I had to go through this. I also remember being pointed at, insulted, or publicly identified as someone different. On several occasions, I experienced physical or verbal violence because of this difference that others perceived. Some people would hit me or mistreat me because they did not understand who I was. At that time, I did not yet have the words to describe what I was experiencing. I only felt confusion, sadness, and sometimes loneliness. These experiences deeply influenced my life journey.”
Who were the most important people around you growing up and how did they shape how you saw yourself?
“The most important people in my life were members of my family. Despite the difficulties I experienced outside, I was fortunate to have a family that accepted me as I am. Their love, support, and presence allowed me to continue moving forward even during difficult moments. They helped me understand that my value did not depend on the opinions or judgments of others. Without their support, it would have been much more difficult for me to face the discrimination and violence I experienced.”
At what point did you begin to understand that your experience had a name or meaning beyond your personal story?
“I began to truly understand my experience in 2023. For many years, I only knew that I was different, but I did not understand why. I had many questions that no one seemed able to answer. I then began my own research to understand who I really was. It was through this research that I discovered intersex variations. For the first time, I found information that matched my lived experience. I also started watching videos, listening to testimonies, and reading stories from intersex people from different countries. By listening to their experiences, I recognised myself in many of their stories. This helped me understand that I was not alone and that other people were living realities similar to mine. This discovery gave meaning to many experiences I had lived through since childhood but had never been able to explain.”
How did that discovery affect you emotionally at the time? Was it a moment of clarity, struggle, fear, or something else?
“This discovery represented a major turning point in my life. At first, I felt an immense sense of relief. After years of questioning, I had finally found answers. Understanding who I was brought me an inner peace that I had never experienced before. At the same time, this discovery made me reflect on all the difficulties I had gone through: the humiliations, insults, violence, and discrimination. It was painful, but it also helped me understand that these experiences did not define my worth. From the day I understood who I truly was, I developed greater confidence in myself. I stopped being ashamed of my difference. Today, I walk with my head held high. I am no longer afraid of other people’s opinions or judgments. On the contrary, this discovery gave me the strength to affirm myself, defend my rights, and transform my personal experience into a commitment to support others. It was this awareness that led me to create Voie Divine. Through this organisation, I want to enable other intersex people to find the information, support, and understanding that took me so many years to obtain.”
How did your identity as an intersex person influence that journey in any way?
“While growing up, I did not know that I was an intersex person, but I felt that I was different from others. For a long time, I searched to understand who I truly was. It was through my own research that I discovered my intersex variation. This reality influenced my life journey, especially because I experienced stigma, insults, mockery, and rejection from primary school through university. Despite these difficulties, I was fortunate to have a family that accepted me as I am.”
When you think of “home” now, what does it mean to you?
“For me, ‘home’ is above all a place where I feel accepted, respected, and safe. It is also the place where my family, my points of reference, and the people who support me are found. Although my family origins are from Benin, Niger is the country where I grew up and where I built my identity. Therefore, this is where I truly feel at home.”
Activism & Leadership Journey
When did you first begin to see yourself as an activist, not just someone living your own experience?
“I truly began to see myself as an activist in 2023, after discovering my intersex variation. Before that, I was mainly on a personal journey of understanding myself, without considering myself as an engaged advocate or activist. It was when I understood that my experience was not isolated and that other intersex people were living similar realities that I felt the need to take action. The creation of Voie Divine marked the concrete beginning of my activism, with the objective of raising awareness, providing information, and supporting intersex people in Niger.”
What does leadership mean to you in this context?
“For me, leadership is not about directing others, but about serving, listening, and opening pathways for understanding. It is the ability to transform a personal experience into collective action to improve the lives of others. In my context, leadership also means having the courage to speak about a subject that is highly taboo, carrying the voices of people who are often invisible, and creating a space where they can be recognised and respected. It is a commitment that requires responsibility, humility, and perseverance.”
What have been some of the risks or fears you have had to navigate?
“The risks are multiple and connected to the social and cultural context of Niger. The first is the strong stigma surrounding intersex variations, which remain very little known and often misunderstood. People engaged on this issue are sometimes automatically associated with the LGBT community, which leads to social judgment and prejudice. In this context, even though no law directly criminalises certain identities, social perceptions remain very negative. This can make awareness work difficult and limit opportunities for public action or official recognition. There is also a constant fear of being misunderstood, rejected, or reduced to a single label, whereas the work being carried out is primarily about human rights, dignity, and raising awareness about intersex variations.”
What keeps you going on difficult days?
“My main motivation comes from my own experience. I grew up without understanding who I was, living through confusion, stigma, and sometimes violence. I do not want other intersex people to go through the same suffering in silence. In 2023, I began connecting with international and regional organisations working on intersex issues. These encounters greatly strengthened my commitment. I particularly collaborated with AIM (African Intersex Movement), led by Obioma, as well as CIA, led by Loé Petit in France. These organisations supported me greatly in building my activist journey and in strengthening the structure of Voie Divine. AIM allowed me to participate in a research committee on intersex people in West Africa. As part of this work, we were invited to Nigeria for training on research methods and approaches adapted to intersex realities. This experience was very educational and helped me better structure my activism. Today, my motivation also comes from the belief that every person deserves to be informed, respected, and recognised in their human dignity. Every step forward, even a small one, represents a victory for the intersex community and for the awareness work we carry out through Voie Divine.”
Voie Divine
At what point did Voie Divine begin to take shape in your mind or in your life?
“Voie Divine began to take shape in 2023, shortly after my discovery of intersex variations. For many years, I had lived with questions about my identity without truly understanding what I was experiencing. In 2023, through my personal research, I finally discovered intersex variations and understood who I truly was. This discovery marked a turning point in my life. I began watching videos, reading testimonies, and following the journeys of other intersex people around the world. For the first time, I recognised myself in the experiences of others. I understood that I was not alone and that what I was experiencing had a name. At the same time, I realised that in Niger, very few people knew about this reality. I began asking myself how many other people were living in silence, confusion, or suffering without access to information. It was at this moment that the idea of creating an awareness-raising organisation began to emerge.”
Was there a specific moment, experience, or frustration that pushed you to create it?
“Yes. My personal journey was the main motivation behind the creation of Voie Divine. Since childhood, I had faced difficult situations. I experienced insults, mockery, stigma, and rejection because of my difference. Some people even tried to forcibly check what was underneath my clothes because they did not understand my body. I was also a victim of physical violence simply because I was perceived as different. For a long time, I had no explanation for what I was experiencing. When I discovered intersex variations, I understood how essential information is. I then promised myself that other people should not have to spend as many years as I did searching for answers about their identity. I decided to create Voie Divine in order to provide information to intersex people, raise awareness in society, and create a space where people concerned could come together, share their experiences, and support one another.”
Why the name “Voie Divine”—what meaning does it carry for you?
“The name “Voie Divine” reflects the fundamental values of our organisation. The word “Voie” (Path) symbolises the fact that we all have different paths in life. Every person is born with their own story, reality, and journey. Some people are born with particular characteristics, such as intersex variations, which influence their life experiences. This word therefore represents the different paths that each person takes to understand themselves, accept themselves, and find their place in society. The word “Divine” refers to faith. It expresses my belief that, despite our differences, we are all creations of God and made in His image. We do not choose the characteristics with which we are born. For this reason, every person deserves respect, dignity, and acceptance. Through this name, we want to share a message of hope, respect, and recognition of the value of every human being.”
When you first started, what did you imagine it would become?
“When I started, I primarily imagined a space for information and awareness raising. I wanted intersex people to have access to the information that I myself had struggled so much to find. I also hoped to create a community capable of bringing together intersex people in Niger so that they could exchange, share their experiences, and support each other. I dreamed of an organisation that would contribute to reducing prejudice, raising awareness among families, and promoting respect for the rights of intersex people. Even today, I hope to see Voie Divine become a recognised organisation that works with communities, institutions, and partners to improve understanding of intersex variations in Niger.”
What were those early days like when Voie Divine was just beginning?
“Voie Divine was officially created on 2 June 2023 in Niger, only a few months after my discovery of intersex variations. The beginnings were modest. We had few resources, but we had a lot of motivation. We started by sharing information, raising awareness among those around us, and organising awareness activities. Little by little, we began making our mission known and drawing attention to a reality that remains largely unknown in the country. Since the beginning, we have particularly focused on awareness activities in order to make the voices of intersex people heard and promote a better understanding of their realities.”
What challenges have you encountered?
“The challenges have been numerous and continue today. The first challenge is that intersex variations remain a very taboo subject in Niger. Many people do not know about this reality or prefer not to talk about it. Prejudices, misconceptions, and stigma make awareness work particularly difficult. Another major challenge concerns the formalisation of the organisation. Currently, Voie Divine continues to operate informally. We have begun steps to obtain official recognition, but we have encountered several obstacles. Some people consider intersex issues to be too sensitive or too delicate to allow the organisation to be formally recognised. This situation limits our possibilities for development and access to certain partnerships or funding opportunities. Financial difficulties are also a considerable challenge. To date, Voie Divine does not have stable funding. We often use our own personal resources to carry out activities. Every first Sunday of the month, we organise awareness activities using our own means. Despite our commitment, the lack of funding greatly limits our ability to reach more people and develop our programmes. Today, Voie Divine suffers greatly from a lack of financial resources, even though the need for information and awareness raising is significant.”
Did you ever doubt whether it would continue?
“Yes, I have had moments when I doubted several times. The financial difficulties, the lack of official recognition, and the many obstacles linked to prejudice can sometimes be discouraging. However, whenever I think about my own journey, the years of confusion I experienced before understanding my identity, and the suffering I went through, I find the motivation to continue. I also think about intersex people who are still living in silence, isolation, or misunderstanding. Knowing that our work can help someone better understand their reality or feel less alone gives me the strength to continue this mission. Despite the challenges, I remain convinced that Voie Divine has an important role to play in raising awareness, providing information, and defending the dignity of intersex people in Niger.”
If we were to understand Voie Divine today through your eyes, what would I see?
“Through my eyes today, we would see a complex reality, between difficulties and hope. On one hand, intersex variations remain very little known in Niger and are strongly surrounded by taboos. When the issue is discussed, it is often misunderstood and interpreted in different ways: some people talk about deformity, abnormality, a curse, or even a spirit depending on their beliefs. This lack of information contributes to strong stigma against intersex people. In this context, many intersex people live in silence and fear. Some hide themselves to avoid family or social rejection. Others have experienced very difficult situations from birth, ranging from abandonment to violence or violations of their dignity. Although these realities are rarely documented, they exist and reflect the vulnerability of intersex people within society. On the other hand, I also see gradual change through awareness raising. People are beginning to ask questions, seek understanding, and reconsider their perceptions. Voie Divine contributes to opening a space for dialogue, information, and recognition, even though the journey is still long.”
Who are the people you are mainly working with?
“Voie Divine is currently mainly carried by me, with the support of a few close people who share the vision of the organisation and accept me in my commitment. We also work through exchanges and collaborations with organisations and networks engaged on intersex issues at regional and international levels. Among them, I can mention the Mouvement africain des intersexes (AIM), led by Obioma, and CIA, led by Loé Petit in France. These relationships have played an important role in my activist journey, particularly in terms of training, research, and strengthening my engagement. The organisation is still informal, with a small team based on trust, personal commitment, and the desire to raise awareness.”
What kinds of support or interventions are most needed?
“Voie Divine needs several types of support in order to strengthen and develop its work. The first is financial support. Currently, the organisation operates with very limited resources and relies largely on personal contributions. We organise awareness activities every first Sunday of the month, but they are financed through our own resources, which limits their reach and consistency. The second is institutional support. At present, Voie Divine is not yet formally recognised, particularly because of the sensitivity of the issue within the Nigerien context. The process of formalisation is difficult, which limits opportunities for partnerships and development. There is also a need for capacity strengthening, particularly in awareness raising, research, and advocacy, in order to improve the impact of the work being carried out. Finally, social support is essential to reduce stigma and promote better understanding of intersex variations within society.”
Can you share a moment where you felt the work made a real difference for someone?
“One of the most significant moments in my journey happened during an awareness activity, when we were sharing stories and information about intersex variations. A person approached us and recognised themselves in the experiences that were being described. After several discussions and conversations, this person stated that they were intersex. This moment was very powerful because it showed the direct impact of awareness raising and the importance of creating spaces for listening and information. Sometimes, these spaces allow people to put words to what they have been experiencing silently for a long time. However, a few months later, this person returned and denied being intersex. I understood this situation as a possible consequence of social and family pressure, in a context where intersex variations remain highly stigmatised. This experience deeply affected me. It helped me understand the extent to which social pressure can influence people’s identity and their ability to speak about their experiences. It also showed me how difficult it can be for some people to accept and openly express their reality. Despite this, it strengthened my determination to continue awareness raising and to create safe spaces where people can express themselves freely, without fear or judgment.”
What kind of world are you hoping Voie Divine helps to build?
“We want to build a world where differences are no longer seen as abnormalities, curses, or reasons for rejection, but as a natural part of human diversity. A world where every child, including intersex children, is welcomed with respect, protection, and information. A world where no one is excluded because of their body, identity, or personal history. A world based on human dignity, acceptance, and social justice.”
Connection to the Wider Movement
How do you see Voie Divine fitting into the broader African intersex movement?
“I see Voie Divine as an emerging but essential initiative within the African movement for the defence of intersex people’s rights. Although the organisation is still young and operates informally, it represents an important voice from Niger in a space where intersex variations remain largely invisible and often misunderstood. Within the African movement, Voie Divine plays a grassroots role: documenting local realities, raising awareness among communities, and bringing forward the voices of intersex people in a context where they are often invisible. It is also a space of resistance and awareness raising in response to social and cultural taboos.”
How did you join the intersex movement? Are there connections or solidarities that have been important for you?
“My entry into the movement happened gradually in 2023, after discovering my own intersex variation. While searching to understand my identity, I began connecting with spaces for information and organisations working on intersex issues. It was through these searches and exchanges that I joined several activist networks. I was particularly in contact with organisations such as AIM, led by Obioma, and CIA, led by Loé Petit. These organisations supported me in understanding the issues and building my commitment. I also participated in research and training activities, particularly through a committee on intersex people in West Africa with AIM. A training organised in Nigeria allowed me to gain methodological tools and better structure my activism. At the same time, my personal journey, marked by difficulties accessing employment, financial insecurity, and experiences of stigma, strengthened my commitment to this movement.”
The Reality of Intersex Lives in Niger
Through your work and experience, what have you come to understand about the realities of intersex people in Niger?
“In Niger, I have understood that intersex variations are very little known as both a medical and human reality. When they are known, they are often misunderstood or incorrectly defined. Depending on the person, it may be perceived as a deformity, an abnormality, a curse, or sometimes even as a spiritual sign or a “spirit”. There are therefore several different perceptions, but very little reliable and scientific information. In reality, intersex people often live in silence and fear. The majority prefer to hide in order to avoid judgment, rejection, or violence. The lack of information creates strong stigma and prevents many people from openly living their reality.”
How are intersex children usually received in families or communities?
“The reception of intersex children is often marked by confusion and misunderstanding. At birth, families and communities may be shocked or disoriented when faced with sexual characteristics that differ from usual expectations. In some cases, this can lead to rejection, shame, or fear. Some families may be influenced by cultural or religious beliefs, which can increase stigma. However, there are also families who choose to protect and accept their child despite the lack of information.”
What happens when a child is born with variations in sex characteristics?
“When a child is born with variations in sex characteristics, the situation is often handled in silence and without appropriate support. There may be significant social pressure to quickly “normalise” the child or assign them an identity that conforms to society’s expectations. In some cases, medical or social decisions are made at a very early stage, sometimes without complete information or without the informed consent of the person concerned. This can have important consequences for their future life. There are also very difficult situations where children are abandoned at birth or hidden by their families because of fear of social judgment. In extreme cases, some people may experience serious violence or violations of their fundamental rights. These realities, although rarely officially documented, exist in certain contexts.”
What kinds of beliefs or myths exist around intersex people?
“Several myths still surround intersex variations in Niger. Some people believe that it is a curse, a divine punishment, or a supernatural phenomenon. Others describe it as a “deformity” or an “abnormality” without understanding that it is a natural variation of human sex characteristics. There are also beliefs that intersex people possess spiritual powers or are beings who are different from others. These perceptions, whether negative or based on mystification, all contribute to moving away from scientific reality and reinforcing stigma.”
What are the biggest forms of harm or exclusion you are seeing?
“Intersex people in Niger face several forms of exclusion. First, there is social exclusion, which appears through mockery, insults, rumors, and rejection within communities. This stigma pushes many people to live in secrecy. There is also family exclusion in some cases, when the birth of an intersex child is misunderstood or experienced as a source of shame, sometimes leading to rejection or isolation. On a medical level, some people may experience interventions or early decisions without adequate support or a complete understanding of their situation. Finally, there is significant psychological and identity-based exclusion, because the lack of information and experiences of rejection can deeply affect self-confidence, self-esteem, and the mental well-being of intersex people.”
Personal Reflection
What support do you need?
“I am currently facing a situation of significant vulnerability. As an intersex person, access to employment is very difficult. In my experience, even when I have managed to obtain professional opportunities, I have sometimes been dismissed once my identity became known or was suspected. This reality makes my professional integration unstable and fragile. Today, I am unemployed, and this directly affects my ability to meet my basic needs, including paying my rent and managing my daily living expenses. I often find myself in a situation where I have to survive with very limited resources. During these difficult moments, I have received support on several occasions from people and organisations committed to this cause, particularly CIA, led by Loé Petit, which provided me with important moral and human support. This support allowed me to continue moving forward despite the obstacles. For a long time, I hoped that my professional situation would improve quickly and that I would be able to access stable employment. However, until now, this remains difficult, and I continue to live with financial instability. The limited resources I manage to obtain are sometimes used for my personal needs, but also to support the awareness activities I carry out through Voie Divine. Despite the difficulties, I remain committed to this work because it is essential for intersex people who continue to live with misunderstanding and stigma. Today, my main need is sustainable financial support that would allow me to stabilise my personal situation and strengthen my advocacy and awareness activities.”
How has this journey changed you as a person?
“This journey has deeply transformed me. For a long time, I lived without understanding myself, with a feeling of being different without being able to name it. The discovery of my intersex variation in 2023 was a major turning point in my life. It allowed me to put words to my experience, but also to understand that I was not alone. I have also gone through difficult experiences marked by stigma, rejection, and sometimes violence. These challenges shaped me and pushed me to transform my pain into commitment and action. Today, I see myself not only as a person directly affected, but also as an actor of awareness and change through Voie Divine.”
What parts feel the most healing or empowering?
“The most empowering aspects of my journey have been awareness, resilience, and meeting other organisations and committed individuals. Discovering intersex variations allowed me to understand my identity and give meaning to my experiences. Resilience helped me continue despite social, economic, and personal difficulties. My exchanges with organisations such as AIM and CIA also allowed me to gain knowledge, open myself to other perspectives, and strengthen my activism. Finally, every person who becomes aware or begins to understand their own reality represents something meaningful and motivating for me.”
When you imagine the future for intersex people in Niger, what do you see?
“I imagine a future where intersex people in Niger and across Africa will no longer have to hide or suffer in silence. A future where they will have access to information, respect, and dignity from birth. I also hope to see Voie Divine become a structured, recognised organisation capable of working effectively on the ground in awareness raising, research, and support. On a personal level, I hope to achieve professional and financial stability that will allow me to live with dignity and continue my commitment.”
If a young intersex person were listening to this conversation, what would you want them to hear from you?
“To a young intersex person, I would like to say that they are not alone. What they are experiencing has a name, an explanation, and above all, human value. It is important not to be ashamed of yourself, even if society can sometimes be harsh or lack understanding. Difference is not a weakness; it is part of human diversity. I encourage them to seek reliable information, surround themselves with caring people, and not remain isolated. A better future is possible, even if the journey may be difficult.”
Thank you for sharing your story so openly. Before we close, is there anything you feel is important that we haven’t touched on?
“I would simply like to add that awareness raising work is essential, especially in contexts where intersex variations are still very little known. Silence and ignorance contribute to the suffering of the people concerned. This is why Voie Divine exists: to inform, raise awareness, and give a voice to those who do not have one. Despite the personal, financial, and institutional difficulties, I remain committed to this mission because it is necessary and urgent.”
This interview with Valentin was conducted by our Intersex Content Contributor, Delphine Barigye.
