TRANSGENDER AND INTERSEX CLAIMS BODILY AUTONOMY AND INTEGRITY
The role of Bogosi in assisting the plight of intersex persons in Botswana
• Engage the Parliament directly to make and lobby for changes in the society, in respect of intersex rights. Dikgosi can deliberate on the human rights violations that intersex persons experience, and make recommendations to the Parliament for the protection and promotion of intersex persons. • Support and the influence of Dikgosi can end the plight of intersex persons in Botswana by being the unifiers and advocate for equality. This will factor in botho, which is a big aspect of Setswana culture. • The Kgotla can be used as well as awareness raising and advocacy area for intersex person’s human rights issues in the community.
The Kgotla system in Botswana, which is a traditional set up of consultation and resolution, is still effective to this day. That alone indicates the importance and influence of Bogosi, although the political landscape has changed over time in reducing the powers of Dikgosi.
A Setswana idiom; Kgosi thotobolo o olelela matlaka otlhe, loosely translated as a Chief accepts all, is an example of the respect and trust that the community places on a Kgosi. Therefore Kgosi, can assist the intersex community in making their plight aware in the community. The Kgosi as a unifier and a central authority in the community is a central link in bringing to the fore social injustice issues and speak formidably on discrimination in the community. Rainbow Identity Association(ria) has been engaging with different traditional leader in the country in order to raise awareness on issues of transgender, intersex and bodily autonomy
Culture plays a key role in determining the basis of potentiality for autonomy as it sets boundaries for the appropriate level of autonomy for individuals within a society. Oppression of transgender and intersex persons especially in African narratives has been attributed to many factors culture being the dominant among others. Culture or tradition has a variety of notable aspects to offer and there is much to appreciate and preserve. However some practices are very harmful to transgender and intersex body as they disrespect, devalue, suppress and destroy human dignity. Harmful practices such as circumcision and genital mutilation has proven to be the human rights violation for these community, as these are described as non-consensual, irreversible and other harmful medical treatments that would not be considered for so called “normal” child without evidence but justified by societal and cultural norms and beliefs.
Culture of secrecy and shame has shroud the reality of intersex variations and because intersex characteristics manifest in a multiplicity of forms there is need for intersecting solutions to multitude of intersex experiences that exist.