Sex-Selective Surgeries on Intersex Infants and Children Have Serious Psychological Consequences: A Delhi High Court petition seeks a ban on medically unnecessary sex-selective surgeries on intersex infants and children
A petition in the Delhi High Court; asking the court to prohibit medically unnecessary sex-selective procedures on intersex infants and children; except in life-threatening instances.
A directive to the Delhi Government and the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) has also been sought; outlining the parameters under which medical surgery on intersex newborns and children can be undertaken.
Srishti Madurai Educational Research Foundation, a non-profit organization; that provides a forum for Non-binary, Gender Queer, and Intersex persons, has filed the petition.
The plea asserts that; the instant issue is of extreme importance because it involves “human rights and bodily integrity of a human being;” citing the Supreme Court’s decision in National Legal Services Authority (NLSA) v. Union of India, which stated that; no one shall be forced to undergo medical procedures as a requirement for legal recognition of their gender identity.
In light of this, the petition claims: “…the issue of sex-selective procedures or medically unneeded normalizing surgeries has a long-term negative psychological influence on intersex people’s brains, discouraging them from seeking medical help in the future. Various news reports support this view that looks at the causes for intersex people’s unwillingness to seek medical help despite exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19.”
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