The UN Human Rights Council made a significant stride on Thursday (4) by passing a resolution aimed at addressing discrimination against intersex people, despite encountering opposition from certain nations regarding the terminology used.
The resolution received approval from 24 out of 47 council members, with none voting against it and 23 abstentions. Countries such as Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Japan, and the United States voted in favour, while Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates abstained.
Titled "Combating discrimination, violence, and harmful practices against intersex persons," the resolution was put forth by Australia, Chile, Finland, and South Africa. South Africa's ambassador, Mxolisi Nkosi, focused on the need to raise awareness about the challenges faced by intersex people, including lifelong discrimination in various spheres such as sports, health, and education, sometimes leading to extreme cases of violence and harmful practices like forced castration or sterilization.
Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont of France welcomed the council's discussion on the plight of intersex individuals, emphasising that they are often subjected to rejection by their families or society.
The University of Manchester estimates that approximately 1.1 million individuals in the UK identify as intersex. Intersex individuals are born with sex characteristics that deviate from conventional male or female categorisations. These traits encompass various aspects, such as sexual anatomy, reproductive organs, hormonal profiles, and chromosomal patterns.
While some of these characteristics are observable at birth, others manifest during puberty, and some may not be visibly apparent at all. Globally, intersex individuals make up around 1.7 per cent of the population, a figure comparable to the prevalence of individuals with red hair.
The resolution acknowledges the existence of individuals with variations in sex characteristics that do not conform to typical male or female definitions, commonly referred to as intersex persons, across all societies.
However, there was a debate over terminology during the council session. Qatar, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group members, proposed alternative terms such as "persons with disorders in sex development," arguing for a more scientifically and medically accurate description.
Bangladesh and Malaysia also expressed reservations, citing unfamiliarity with the term intersex in their national legal systems and potential derogatory implications in local languages. China emphasised the need for the resolution to respect diverse cultural traditions.
Curator Emma Slocombe with ikat robes and arabachi coats in the Peter the Great Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
View of the entrance to Blickling Hall on a rainy autumn dayAmit Roy 
Kente cloth from Ghana in the Long Gallery in Blickling Hall 
Decoration in the Great Hall at Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Palampore fragment made in coastal south-east India in the Brown Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Bed valance dating from early 1700s in the Italian Print Room at Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Indian inspired fabric draped on sofas in the South Drawing Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Indian inspired fabric draped on sofas in the South Drawing Room with Indian carpet in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Karun Thakar has picked out the geometric patterns in the bookcase and the Kente cloth in the Long Gallery in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Large tapestry depicting Peter the Great defeating the Swedish army at the Battle of Poltava in 1709 Amit Roy 
ikat robes and arabachi coats in the Peter the Great Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Baghs and kanthas made by women provide contrast to the men only portraits in the Great Hall at Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Baghs and kanthas in the entrance Great Hall at Blickling Hall Amit Roy
Baghs and Kanthas in the Great Hall in harmony with stained glass window at Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Kimonos reflect Japanese influence in Upper Ante Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Kimono in Upper Ante Room in Blickling Hall 
A view of the Palace and fort at Agra shows romantic side of India Amit Roy 
Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Table carpet, European 1670-1680 Amit Roy 
Unfinished 17th century Italian embroidery in the Print Room at Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Picture of Kashmir shows a romantic view of India Amit Roy 
A panel of Ashburnham bed hangings made in Gujarat for sale in Europe in the Brown Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Colcha made in the 1600s by women in Bengal for the Portuguese market in the Long Gallery at Blickling Hall Amit Roy
