Introduction:
In a landmark event held on September 29th, 2023, the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), in collaboration with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and the Amka Africa Justice Initiative, hosted an extraordinary symposium and moot court competition. This one-day event focused on a crucial issue often overlooked in discussions of sexual and reproductive health rights – the rights of intersex individuals.
The Symposium and Moot Court Competition:
The symposium and moot court competition, held at JKUAT’s Karen Campus in Nairobi, brought together legal experts, activists, scholars, and students passionate about advancing the sexual and reproductive health rights of intersex persons. The event aimed to shed light on the challenges faced by intersex individuals in Kenya and to explore legal remedies to protect and promote their rights.
Morning Session:
The event commenced with the arrival and registration of participants, hosted by the JKUAT Legal Clinic and Amka Africa. The highlight of the morning was the launch of the baseline report titled ‘Not Broken Do Not Fix.’ This report, presented by Milka Wahu from JKUAT’s legal clinic, provided essential insights into the challenges faced by intersex persons in Kenya.
Following the report launch, a panel discussion, moderated by Milka Wahu, delved into the lessons learned from the report. The discussion aimed to highlight the gaps in existing policies and laws concerning intersex individuals and identify potential solutions.
The morning session also included the unveiling of a comic booklet on the sexual and reproductive health rights of intersex persons, presented by Shelmith Maranya from Amka Africa and a JKUAT legal clinic alumna.
Keynote Address:
One of the most significant moments of the day was the keynote address delivered by His Excellency Mr. Alexander Fierley, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Nairobi. His address emphasized the importance of respecting and protecting the human rights of all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.
Moot Court Competition:
The highlight of the event was the Moot Court Competition, where students and legal professionals showcased their legal prowess in a hypothetical case. The case, between ‘Rights For All (RFA)’ and ‘The Republic of Kijano,’ revolved around the rights of an intersex individual named Buni.
The case challenged the government of Kijano for failing to formulate policies and guidelines for the treatment and sexual reproductive health of intersex persons. It also alleged violations of Buni’s rights by police officers and hospital staff, and the failure to protect, fulfill, and respect the sexual and reproductive health rights of intersex persons.
Afternoon Session:
The afternoon session continued with the second and final rounds of the Moot Court Competition, where participants presented their arguments. The moot commentary by judges and the audience provided valuable feedback to the competitors.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony, where IPICC, judges, Amka Africa, and JKUAT recognized the outstanding participants in the moot court competition. The event’s success was a testament to the commitment of organizations like Amka Africa and institutions like JKUAT in championing the rights of intersex individuals.
Conclusion:
The Intersex Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Symposium and Moot Court Competition at JKUAT served as a vital platform for raising awareness about the challenges faced by intersex individuals in Kenya. It showcased the dedication of the legal community and organizations like Amka Africa in advocating for the protection and promotion of intersex individuals’ rights.
With the partnership between the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and Amka Africa Justice Initiative, there is hope that more legal advocacy and awareness efforts will follow, ultimately leading to comprehensive legal protections for intersex individuals in Kenya and beyond.