Gambiza, Pearl

Navigating the rights of intersex children in Zimbabwe

By Gambiza, Pearl

Despite the seemingly progressive strides made in promoting the rights of children in many African countries, the rights of intersex children remain hidden. This paper explores the lived experiences of intersex children in Zimbabwe drawing from in-depth interviews conducted with intersex children aged between 8 and 16 years. The paper reveals a myriad of overlapping challenges faced by intersex children compounded by a lack of legal recognition and influence of cultural and religious discourses which threaten intersex children's sexual and reproductive health rights including their right to bodily autonomy and integrity, as well as their right to education. © 2024 National Children's Bureau and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.