Intersex Asia sets out its Strategic Plan 2021-24 to empower the intersex community

10th February 2021

Intersex Asia (IA) – regional network of intersex organisations and individuals launched its new Strategic Plan 2021-24. The launch of the new strategic Plan coincides with the three-year anniversary celebration of the organisation.

The new plan outlines the organisational goals for the coming three years, key strategies and specific activities which IA plans to undertake. The three major goals as per the Strategic plan are:
Working towards strenthening the regional organisation as well as a stronger Asian intersex community, with an increase in national level organizations, more intersex people being able to identify themselves and improved awareness in society about intersex people.
Building a support system for at risk intersex people and parents of intersex children, integrating self-care and well-being into intersex forums, activities and events
Conducting research and advocacy to argue for more laws and policies that protect and promote the rights of intersex people, prevent discrimination based on sex characteristics in Asia.

In 2018 and 2019, Intersex Asia developed their first ever strategic plan for the period of 2019 and 2020. This was very much a strategy to get Intersex Asia up and running as a new regional organisation in Asia, composed initially of key intersex voluntary grassroots organisers from Asia. There was a need to formalise and get staff in order to realise the goals of the organisation.

As the 2019-2020 period came to an end, Intersex Asia prepared for the development of a strategy for 2021-2024. This time the period was extended to 3 years in recognition of how well IA had succeeded in realising the previous strategic plan and our readiness for a longer term strategy. Gearing up for a new strategic plan was very challenging with everyone, facing huge amounts of uncertainty in terms of organising and communications with the pandemic conditions that the world was living under. There was also a recognition of the coming phase having some focus on incubating new intersex actors and how their contribution might bring new ideas in the future. The period also would be a learning one with IA successfully registering their organisation in Taiwan, and the need for independently handling the operational and financial management of the organisation.

To develop and facilitate this process, IA engaged Lisa Houston as a consultant. Lisa had assisted Intersex Asia in the development of the first strategic plan as well and also worked as the part-time coordinator from January to June 2020.

Launching the new plan, Jeff Cagandahan, newly elected Co-chair of IA said: “Our new strategic plan is borne out of a comprehensive consultation process within our network and partners and deep reflection of our journey. It shines a light on who we are as an organisation and features the strategies that we have crafted to achieve our goals. We are thrilled to launch the plan today with a hope that we will continue with our mission to educate a wide audience of partners, stakeholders and media, and we hope to engage them at a regional and global level, as our international presence requires.”

Read the the strategic plan here.
IA’s Theory of Change available here.