Gender-Neutral Uniforms, Washrooms To Be Introduced In Schools

By Getrude Mathayo / Published May 31, 2023 | 12:05 pm




KEY POINTS

The bill titled, The Children Bill, 2021, was set to repeal the Children Act, of 2001, and align the legal framework that governs children's issues with the Constitution.


Schools

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has recently introduced a new bill that will see learning institutions introduce uniforms, washing, and accommodation facilities that are gender-neutral.

The Intersex Persons Bill of 2023 wants to make sure that the rights of intersex people in Kenya are recognized, protected, and safe. The purpose of this bill is to recognize, protect and safeguard the rights of intersex individuals within the country.

If approved, the bill will require learning institutions to admit intersex persons to any course or study and introduce gender-neutral practices in a bid to foster inclusion.

Related Content: TSC Grades, Qualifications For Various Administrative Positions In Schools

One of the key provisions of the bill is the obligation for learning institutions to admit intersex persons to any course or study. This aim is to ensure equal education opportunities for intersex individuals, promoting inclusivity and diversity in the learning environment.

“The Cabinet Secretary responsible for education shall ensure that intersex learners get the provision of private and sanitary toilets, washing facilities, accommodation facilities, and uniforms that are neutral or, if designated by sex, by allowing the intersex learners to use the facility and uniform that accords the learner’s self-recognized sex,” the bill reads.

Read More:

Under the bill, the Cabinet Secretary will also ensure that educational institutions take into account the needs of intersex persons when drafting entry requirements, pass marks, and curriculum examinations. The learners will be allowed to choose learning and sporting activities per their self-recognized sex.

This acknowledges the unique circumstances and challenges that intersex individuals may face in the educational system. By taking into account their needs, the bill seeks to create a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for intersex learners.

Related Content: Mukumu Girls Incident Should Be A Wakeup Call In Making Schools Safe

This isn’t the first time a bill that seeks to recognize intersex persons has been proposed. In 2019, former nominator senator Isaac Mwaura sponsored a bill that would have allowed for the recognition of Intersex persons who choose to undergo surgery and change their gender identity.

The draft law was seeking to amend Section 9 of the Registration of Persons Act, 2012. At the time, human rights activist Jedidah Waruhiu termed the move as a bold step in attempting to implement the recommendations based on the findings of the 2018 Taskforce on Legal, Policy, Institutional, and Administrative Reforms regarding Intersex Persons.

She said being intersex is not an abnormality rather ‘it’s just the third sex marker.’ In 2021 then National Assembly Majority Leader Amos Kimunya proposed a similar Bill.

The bill titled, The Children Bill, 2021, was set to repeal the Children Act, of 2001, and align the legal framework that governs children’s issues with the Constitution.

Human Rights activists have been advocating for the recognition and protection of intersex persons’ rights in Kenya. They argued that being intersex is not an abnormality but rather a valid expression of the diversity of human biology.

Related Content: Private Schools To Pay KCSE, KCPE Examination Fees






More Articles From This Author








Trending Stories










Other Related Articles










SOKO DIRECTORY & FINANCIAL GUIDE



ARCHIVES

2023
  • January 2023 (182)
  • February 2023 (203)
  • March 2023 (322)
  • April 2023 (298)
  • May 2023 (268)
  • June 2023 (214)
  • July 2023 (212)
  • August 2023 (258)
  • September 2023 (179)
  • 2022
  • January 2022 (293)
  • February 2022 (329)
  • March 2022 (358)
  • April 2022 (292)
  • May 2022 (271)
  • June 2022 (232)
  • July 2022 (278)
  • August 2022 (253)
  • September 2022 (246)
  • October 2022 (196)
  • November 2022 (233)
  • December 2022 (167)
  • 2021
  • January 2021 (182)
  • February 2021 (227)
  • March 2021 (325)
  • April 2021 (259)
  • May 2021 (285)
  • June 2021 (272)
  • July 2021 (277)
  • August 2021 (232)
  • September 2021 (271)
  • October 2021 (305)
  • November 2021 (364)
  • December 2021 (249)
  • 2020
  • January 2020 (272)
  • February 2020 (310)
  • March 2020 (390)
  • April 2020 (321)
  • May 2020 (335)
  • June 2020 (327)
  • July 2020 (333)
  • August 2020 (276)
  • September 2020 (214)
  • October 2020 (233)
  • November 2020 (242)
  • December 2020 (187)
  • 2019
  • January 2019 (251)
  • February 2019 (215)
  • March 2019 (283)
  • April 2019 (254)
  • May 2019 (269)
  • June 2019 (249)
  • July 2019 (335)
  • August 2019 (293)
  • September 2019 (306)
  • October 2019 (313)
  • November 2019 (362)
  • December 2019 (318)
  • 2018
  • January 2018 (291)
  • February 2018 (213)
  • March 2018 (275)
  • April 2018 (223)
  • May 2018 (235)
  • June 2018 (176)
  • July 2018 (256)
  • August 2018 (247)
  • September 2018 (255)
  • October 2018 (282)
  • November 2018 (282)
  • December 2018 (184)
  • 2017
  • January 2017 (183)
  • February 2017 (194)
  • March 2017 (207)
  • April 2017 (104)
  • May 2017 (169)
  • June 2017 (205)
  • July 2017 (189)
  • August 2017 (195)
  • September 2017 (186)
  • October 2017 (235)
  • November 2017 (253)
  • December 2017 (266)
  • 2016
  • January 2016 (164)
  • February 2016 (165)
  • March 2016 (189)
  • April 2016 (143)
  • May 2016 (245)
  • June 2016 (182)
  • July 2016 (271)
  • August 2016 (247)
  • September 2016 (233)
  • October 2016 (191)
  • November 2016 (243)
  • December 2016 (153)
  • 2015
  • January 2015 (1)
  • February 2015 (4)
  • March 2015 (164)
  • April 2015 (107)
  • May 2015 (116)
  • June 2015 (119)
  • July 2015 (145)
  • August 2015 (157)
  • September 2015 (186)
  • October 2015 (169)
  • November 2015 (173)
  • December 2015 (205)
  • 2014
  • March 2014 (2)
  • 2013
  • March 2013 (10)
  • June 2013 (1)
  • 2012
  • March 2012 (7)
  • April 2012 (15)
  • May 2012 (1)
  • July 2012 (1)
  • August 2012 (4)
  • October 2012 (2)
  • November 2012 (2)
  • December 2012 (1)
  • 2011
    2010
    2009
    2008
    2007
    2006
    2005
    2004
    2003
    2002
    2001
    2000
    1999
    1998
    1997
    1996
    1995
    1994
    1993
    1992
    1991
    1990
    1989
    1988
    1987
    1986
    1985
    1984
    1983
    1982
    1981
    1980
    1979
    1978
    1977
    1976
    1975
    1974
    1973
    1972
    1971
    1970
    1969
    1968
    1967
    1966
    1965
    1964
    1963
    1962
    1961
    1960
    1959
    1958
    1957
    1956
    1955
    1954
    1953
    1952
    1951
    1950