{"id":6630,"date":"2024-09-04T15:10:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-04T13:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/?p=6630"},"modified":"2025-09-04T15:34:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T13:34:07","slug":"12-september-2024-founding-of-helping-education-regarding-orientation-hero-malawi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/12-september-2024-founding-of-helping-education-regarding-orientation-hero-malawi\/","title":{"rendered":"12 September 2024 \u2014 Founding of Helping Education Regarding Orientation (HERO), Malawi"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">12 September 2024 \u2014 Founding of Helping Education Regarding Orientation (HERO), Malawi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/HERO-ITP.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6632\" srcset=\"https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/HERO-ITP.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/HERO-ITP-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/HERO-ITP-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/HERO-ITP-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/HERO-ITP-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/HERO-ITP-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The context in Malawi for intersex people<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to HERO,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3f2637c7f0454c6fd0a75e5574537212\">&#8220;Although sexual orientation and gender identity are integral to a person\u2019s 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:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-dd7c18a33d19a51fb9c7865bb87b0854\"><strong>Lack of understanding of intersex issues<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3a3cc4276b117b7ba76872baa52fc252\"><strong>Religious practices<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3ef5594220030d96ad2c4d45b3e61e4b\"><strong>Traditional beliefs<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b81faa399775848ae0c6f1fe0c085132\"><strong>Political beliefs<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7571559f6b5d5872beb3087c75cc1619\">Some of the challenges that intersex people face include:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-86b2179328989308181a9a350eef077b\"><strong>Having had prior surgery without their consent<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-dd1e5dc92c616a27b3b6c6cf2e357245\"><strong>Feelings of distrust<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1260eec90bd56de493c276ba9d3017cf\"><strong>Ongoing side effects<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1e1b0760e5b13ff1fcd1ae700b301a41\"><strong>Gendered treatment<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8a91095a6fcbd8a67a8251994ffc6ec9\"><strong>Increased cancer risk<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8a28bac55a052b76ce4cace0167ee467\"><strong>Gendered and discriminatory terms used<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d53cb4303a430a364283f316a9d3f221\"><strong>Taking hormones<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2ce3f27a780ba1860f0e7d1a485e0ef4\">Intersex people often experience prejudice and discrimination because their bodies do not conform to other people\u2019s expectations about sex and gender.&#8221;<\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vision<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"2048\" src=\"https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/HERO_1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6633\" srcset=\"https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/HERO_1.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/HERO_1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/HERO_1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/HERO_1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/HERO_1-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/HERO_1-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/HERO_1-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mission<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Raise awareness of intersex people\u2019s existence by drawing attention to gender role construction and gender inequity and confronting interconnected \u201cisms\u201d (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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Values<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Passion \u2013 creating peaceful and inclusive spaces for intersex people and communities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Respect \u2013 celebrating what makes us unique and establish trust through inclusivity and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>recognition<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Empowerment \u2013 creating a space in which to grow and thrive<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Integrity \u2013 holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards, doing what is right for the community<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Objectives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To defend intersex people in Malawi and support their families and communities against all forms of discrimination, exclusion, violence and hate crimes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To promote intersex people\u2019s sense of security and social cohesion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To address and respond to the economic struggles, unemployment and other class-based challenges of intersex people<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To enhance collaboration and partnerships between CSOs, fellow human rights organisations and the Government of Malawi<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Focus areas \/ Projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Raising awareness about violence, discrimination and stigma towards intersex people<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Advancing and upholding human rights-compliant laws<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supporting economic, cultural and societal inclusion of intersex people in Malawi<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supporting intersex people who face unique challenges during crises, conflicts and acute threats to their life<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthening national capability: contributing to having stronger, more resilient, inclusive and sustainable organisations with the technical and legal knowledge and skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To make progress on intersex equality and inclusion, to increase their reach, effectiveness, and impact<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Organising workshops for intersex youth and adults in different regions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supporting influential thought leaders including faith leaders to advocate for local and global reform<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learning, evidence and advice on understanding the real \u2018live\u2019 situation in varied contexts, sharing information on the practical and most effective approaches that work to improve the lives of intersex individuals in Malawi.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Email: <a href=\"mailto:heroitfhero@gmail.com\">heroitfhero@gmail.com<\/a>  <br>WhatsApp: +265 888 618 885<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61566609077639\">Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>12 September 2024 \u2014 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, Vision A Malawi [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":5066,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[335,33,35,42],"tags":[1527,85,1528],"class_list":["post-6630","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all","category-intersex","category-lgbtqia","category-organisations","tag-helping-educating-regarding-orientation-hero","tag-malawi","tag-shammah-solomon"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6630","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6630"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6630\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6634,"href":"https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6630\/revisions\/6634"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5066"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6630"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/transintersexhistory.africa\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}