Zimbabwe has begun examining possible legal reforms to better protect intersex people.
The move follows a high-level government meeting held in Harare on Wednesday, 5 August.
The Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs organised the breakfast meeting.
It brought together senior officials, legal experts and other stakeholders.
The gathering took place at the Holiday Inn in Harare.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi attended alongside Labour Minister Edgar Moyo.
Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora also participated in the discussions.
Officials called for greater public awareness about intersex conditions and experiences.
They also highlighted widespread misunderstandings surrounding the term intersex.
Intersex describes natural biological differences involving chromosomes, hormones or reproductive anatomy.
These characteristics may not fit conventional definitions of male or female.
Officials stressed that intersex variations are neither a choice nor a disease.
Government examines legal gaps
Ziyambi said the government began examining the issue after a court challenge.
He explained that his ministry referred the matter to the Attorney General.
“Basically what we have done is we have received a court challenge regarding this issue (intersex) and we referred it to the Attorney General,” he said. “After that we decided as a Ministry that we need to undertake research.”
The minister said Zimbabwe’s Constitution recognises two sexes.
However, he acknowledged challenges involving people whose circumstances do not fit that classification.
The government commissioned research through the Law Development Commission.
The United Nations Development Programme supported the research process.
Officials then used the breakfast meeting to gather additional expert views.
Meanwhile, Moyo described the discussions as an important warning for policymakers.
He said existing legislation does not adequately address intersex people’s circumstances.
“There is a real gap in our statutes to address those issues. Because we are basically classified as male and female, and then there are people falling in between,” he said.
Moyo also blamed stigma and cultural attitudes for limiting public discussions.
He said many intersex people experience humiliation during official documentation processes.
Calls grow for inclusive public services
Moyo highlighted difficulties involving birth certificates and national identity documents.
He said mismatches can create problems across several public and private services.
These challenges can also affect education, healthcare, banking and employment.
Voting processes may present additional difficulties for some intersex people.
Moyo urged stronger support from families and child protection systems.
He also pointed to cases where parents struggle to understand intersex characteristics.
“Testimonies were heartbreaking, noting that parents may not always know or may not understand the issue early enough, particularly when traits emerge later,” he said.
He said government agencies should improve their support systems.
Moyo also called for policies that respond to people’s lived experiences.
He stressed that government must “live beyond culture” and “be adaptive” when promoting inclusion.
The Justice Ministry will now assess and validate the research findings.
It will then prepare legal and policy proposals for Cabinet consideration.
The ministry also plans continued discussions with intersex people and civil society groups.
Officials will further provide updates on the progress of the reform process.
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