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{
    "id": 934828,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/934828/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 274,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Musuruve",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13188,
        "legal_name": "Getrude Musuruve Inimah",
        "slug": "getrude-musuruve-inimah"
    },
    "content": "There is need to come up with a legislative framework that will ensure that these children are not victimised and do not feel sad about their state. We need also to define who an intersex person is. The current definition of intersex states clearly that this person is neither male nor female, or can be in between. That definition does not cater for the different hormonal and social changes that go on in their lives when they mature. The definition that has been proposed by these organisations states as follows: “Intersex is a person who is conceived and born with biological sex characteristics that cannot be exclusively categorised with the human common binary of female or male due to their inherent and mixed anatomical, hormonal ovaries and testes or chromosomal X and Y patterns, which could be apparent prior to, at birth, in childhood, puberty or adulthood.” Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this definition caters for the many changes that go on in their lives. Another thing that has come out in the amendment is that if a person who is intersex wants a change or maybe the person was called Jane and then with time the chromosome and hormonal changes now portray that he is John. Therefore, this amendment states that if this person wants to be changed from Jane to John in the registration, then it means that the person has to get a consent from a medical practitioner who will verify. When it is verified, it means that information can be true and reliable because it has come from a medical practitioner. Even when it comes from a medical practitioner, the amended Bill proposes that the person’s sex does not change immediately. It should take almost a year from the time of submission. This time is good because it gives that person time to contemplate over the issue of changing sex; whether she really wants to become John or John wants to become Mary. It will help them heal psychologically and accept themselves in the new mode of change. Therefore, 12 months grace period is very good for the purpose of ensuring that the particulars in the registration can change. Even when it changes, the proposition in this amendment is that we need to have three slots of someone registered as male, female or intersex. Therefore, if a person is intersex, then the X will be the intersex. In the event of any changes; that maybe the person has changed from Mary to John and then, later on, changes again to Mary, the identity card will show that this is an intersex person because of hormonal changes. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, there is need to sensitize a number of key stakeholders on this issue. This issue sounds very small and negligible, but it is big. There are many people who are intersex in this country, but they do not overtly come out to say so, because of stigmatization and embarrassment. Sometimes they do not know how the society will treat them. There is need for a massive sensitization, so that intersex persons can be given the psychological support they need. These intersex persons need psychosocial support, so that they accept themselves the way they are. They also need treatment for gender dysphoria. Some of them are not happy about their gender. They are annoyed and pessimistic. However, there is need to give them treatment, so that they stop being pessimistic and accept themselves the way they are. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}