Intersex persons across Africa continue to face stigma, discrimination and exclusion from health, legal and social systems. As part of ongoing efforts to advance the rights and inclusion of intersex persons, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s #WeBelongAfrica programme, in collaboration with the African Intersex Movement (AIM) and the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, convened a side event on the margins of the 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The event focused on accelerating the implementation of Resolution 552, the first regional human rights resolution dedicated to intersex persons in Africa.

Held in Banjul, The Gambia, and timed to coincide with Intersex Awareness Day (26 October), the event brought together policy makers, civil society leaders and national human rights institutions. In opening remarks, Honourable Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso reaffirmed the African Commission’s strong commitment on intersex inclusion and dignity. While recognizing that Resolution 552 is a significant milestone, he noted that it must be followed by practical national-level measures to be truly impactful. He stressed that platforms such as this are crucial for raising awareness among state parties, who have the obligation to take measures to implement the African Charter on Human and Peoples‘ Rights.

Tom Makumbi from AIM shared powerful testimony of the lived experiences of intersex persons in Africa, advocacy strategies and the significance of Resolution 552 to the intersex community. He outlined how many still face medically unnecessary and non-consensual interventions, lack of access to appropriate sexual and reproductive health services in adolescence and adulthood, discrimination in accessing socio-economic services, exclusion from legal recognition, baby abandonment and infanticide. Makumbi called for urgent, concrete actions by member states to address existing gaps in the protection and inclusion of intersex persons.

The Government of Zimbabwe provided an example of emerging national leadership on intersex rights. Lyna Saizi, Principal Legal Officer in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, shared Zimbabwe’s recent acceptance of a Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendation on protecting intersex human rights. She explained how this commitment aligns with the country’s National Development Strategy 1, which prioritizes leaving no one behind. Saizi also noted the Ministry’s ongoing intersex rights study, supported by UNDP, which will generate evidence that will inform future legal and policy reforms.

The side event also marked the launch of new policy guidance developed by UNDP and AIM, titled Advancing the Health & Human Rights of Intersex Persons in Africa: Policy Guidance. Presented by UNDP Policy Specialist Tapiwa Mamhare, the guidance aims to support law and policy makers, and intersex civil society organizations, to work towards the domestic implementation of Human Rights Council Resolution 55/14 and African Commission Resolution 552, and the recommendations of other United Nations entities, including treaty bodies, special procedures and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Participants highlighted the importance of consolidating efforts in advocacy and shifting from anecdotal evidence to data-driven action. They stressed the need to continue sustained engagement with the African Commission and state parties to the African Charter. The side event also reinforced the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships, with many participants commending the collaboration between UNDP, AIM and the Centre for Human Rights as a model to bring change at regional and national levels.

The discussions generated strong momentum and optimism. By supporting states in turning Resolution 552 into actionable policies, and by centring the voices of intersex persons, UNDP and its partners are helping to lay the groundwork for a more inclusive future – one where intersex persons in Africa can live free from stigma, with dignity, rights and access to the services they need.

The #WeBelongAfrica programme is supported by Sweden and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.