June 2021 — Publication of ‘COVID-19: A Report on the Situation of Intersex People in Africa’
A report, ‘COVID-19: A Report on the Situation of Intersex People in Africa‘, authored by Obioma Chukwuike from Intersex Nigeria, was conducted between 12 October 2020, and 16 December 2020, and published in June 2021. The COVID-19 Report was part of a global study initiated by the global intersex committee, aiming to understand how the pandemic affected intersex individuals across different regions.
The findings from the Report paint a clear picture of the challenges intersex individuals faced during the crisis, including financial struggles, employment instability, lack of access to healthcare, increased mental health issues, and threats to personal safety. Many respondents reported losing jobs, struggling to afford basic needs, dropping out of school and facing discrimination in healthcare settings. Activism and community support also took a hit, with lockdowns limiting in-person organising.
The Report shows a community harshly affected by COVID-19, experiencing frustration about how to create a better future not only for themselves, but for the future generations as well. It highlights the need for targeted support, better healthcare access, and financial aid for intersex communities, especially during global crises.
The conclusion to the Report is as follows:
“The survey shows that intersex persons in Africa are experiencing a strong negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in regard to their financial situation, employment, access to health care facilities and continuous access to medication as well as their mental health and well-being, and safety seriously undermined.
The worsening of their financial situation caused by the pandemic strongly impacted the livelihoods of intersex persons in Africa. The responses show that most have lost sources of income either by loss of employment or closure of their businesses, leaving them in hand to mouth situations. Lockdowns and physical distancing enforced a drastic meltdown in income generation for intersex persons in Africa, exposing them to more hardship and added vulnerability besides the already existing hardships, the stigma and prejudices they faced before the pandemic. Personal safety is not guaranteed as many intersex people became victims of abuse, discrimination, and violent attacks, staying in hostile places with the person who hosted them during the pandemic or family members who are abusive towards them. Relocation would have been helpful, but it is only possible for those who have the means and resources to do so. In times of crisis, people who are part of a vulnerable minority are more likely to be victims of human rights violations. The response to ill-treatments from security personnel is also a reminder of inadequate security measures for intersex people in Africa. Unfortunately, intersex people cannot rely on protection by law enforcement agents, who also play a role in the victimization of minority populations. Trauma from insecurity and unsafe situations often trigger past negative memories as many intersex people have suffered stigma due to non-consensual treatments that pathologize their body or cultural beliefs that harm their bodies.
Public access to health services is difficult as many cannot access health care facilities. Some do not have the finance to seek good health care practitioners and medications they require to manage their health issues. Many have worsening health conditions that need urgent medical attention. With little or no access to health care facilities, the fate of these intersex persons becomes uncertain. In most hospitals in Africa, intersex persons have always had difficulties with medical practitioners. They are often subjected to medical trials, leaving them confused or traumatized by these experiences.
The pandemic is limiting the in-person interactions of activists and intersex people and the intersex movement. As a result, it has put severe barriers and obstacles to the recent and fast growth of the African intersex movement, platform building, awareness-raising, community building, and advocacy. The Covid-19 pandemic is a significant threat to the efforts of many activists and intersex-led organizations which operate with little human capacity and limited funding. It is highly worrying that efforts made over the past years, which put intersex work in Africa in the limelight, might fade away. Many activists have moved to the new reality of internet access to connect with stakeholders or intersex people. However, this is also challenging, as many intersex persons have indicated limited internet access or cannot afford it. In-person interactions are more effective in terms of positive engagements in events and creating a sense of belonging.
In all these uncertainties, intersex persons in Africa have shown strength in their hopes for a better tomorrow. Many have not lost hope that the pandemic will slow down and its negative impact would become less severe in the future. However, many stressed their situation would continue to worsen in terms of financial stability, safety, and health access if the society and government do not recognize their existence and rights by ensuring integration of intersex into the strategies and programs that will protect their human rights. They also marked the importance of championing more intersex activists and bringing sustainable advocacy and change in the society to dismantle the stigma, prejudice, and discrimination of intersex persons, while calling for increased funding for the intersex movement in Africa.”
You can read the full report here.
This post was written by our content contributor on intersex issues, Delphine Barigye.
