Zimbabwe’s Policy on Gender Identity for Individuals with Ambiguous Genitalia
By Daniel Chigundu
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Chido Sanyaywe, informed Parliament that when a child is born with ambiguous genitalia, it is the doctors who determine the child’s sex.
Ambiguous genitalia, now referred to as atypical genitalia, represents a difference in sexual development (DSD) where a newborn’s external genitals are not clearly defined. This condition may manifest in several ways: the infant may possess incomplete male or female genitalia, or features of both sexes. In some instances, the external genitals may not correspond with the internal sex organs or genetic sex.
According to the Deputy Minister, Zimbabwe currently recognizes only two gender categories male and female. She explained that as a child grows, the assigned sex may be reviewed if any changes in genitalia are observed.
“The Constitution of Zimbabwe, Amendment Number 20 Act of 2013 only recognizes male and female sex. However, in cases of ambiguous genitalia, a medical doctor will determine the sex of the child after a thorough examination,” she stated.
“As the child matures and if genital changes occur, a review can be conducted by a medical doctor. The Central Registry Department will then update the child’s sex based on the doctor’s recommendation,” she added.
The Deputy Minister was responding to a question from Honourable Gwabeni regarding government policy on assigning gender identity at birth for individuals with ambiguous genitalia. While Zimbabwe currently recognizes only male and female genders, countries like Kenya have begun to acknowledge individuals with atypical genitalia under the category of intersex.
In 2017 Kenya formed a Taskforce on Policy, Legal, Institutional and Administrative Reforms regarding Intersex Persons. Part of the taskforce job was aimed at safeguarding the interests of intersex persons by identifying the immediate, medium and long term reforms required to respect and protect their rights as Kenyans, and to undertake any other activities required for the effective discharge of its mandate.
Zimbabwe’s Policy on Gender Identity for Individuals with Ambiguous Genitalia
