Gender-neutral Uniforms, Washrooms To be introduced In School
A new bill suggested by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights will require schools to have gender-neutral uniforms, places to wash, and places to stay.
The Intersex Persons Bill of 2023 wants to make sure that the rights of intersex people in Kenya are recognized, protected, and safe.
If the bill is passed, learning institutions will have to let intersex people take any course or study and use gender-neutral practices to make everyone feel welcome.
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The bill says, “The Cabinet Secretary responsible for education shall make sure that intersex learners have access to private and clean toilets, washing facilities, accommodation facilities, and uniforms that are neutral or, if designated by sex, by allowing intersex learners to use the facility and uniform that corresponds to the learner’s self-recognized sex.”
Under the bill, the Cabinet Secretary will also make sure that educational institutions take into account the needs of intersex people when making entry requirements, pass marks, and program exams.
The students will be able to choose learning and sports events based on what they think their sex is.
This isn’t the first time a bill has been put forward to recognize intersex people.
In 2019, former nominee senator Isaac Mwaura backed a bill that would have given Intersex people who choose to have surgery and change their gender identity legal status.
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The goal of the proposed rule was to change Section 9 of the 2012 Registration of Persons Act.
Jedidah Waruhiu, a human rights activist at the time, called the move a brave attempt to follow the suggestions made by the 2018 Taskforce on Legal, Policy, Institutional, and Administrative Reforms Regarding Intersex Persons.
She said that being intersex isn’t weird because it’s just the third sign of sex.
In 2021, Amos Kimunya, who was then the leader of the majority in the National Assembly, offered a similar bill.
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The Children Bill, 2021, was supposed to get rid of the Children Act, 2001, and bring the laws about children into line with the Constitution.
Gender-neutral Uniforms, Washrooms To be introduced In School
