With strong support from the Embassy of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), Intersex Philippines has launched a landmark national advocacy project, I.N.T.E.R.S.E.X.: Informing the Nation, Transforming Engagement, and Raising Support for Equality and eXistence.
As the only intersex-led organization in the country, Intersex Philippines is leading efforts to raise public awareness, expand advocacy, and build institutional support for the protection of intersex rights. Canada’s backing reinforces its long-standing commitment to inclusive, rights-based, and feminist development worldwide.
The Embassy of Canada emphasized its role in advancing equality and human rights in the Philippines:
“In the Philippines, CFLI has been supporting dozens of initiatives for nearly 40 years – from advancing Indigenous Peoples’ rights to promoting women’s participation in peace processes. Today, it continues to reflect Canada’s centerpiece policies, including its Feminist International Assistance Policy and Indo-Pacific Strategy, supporting efforts that are inclusive, sustainable, and rights-based.”
Through this partnership, a major focus will be on the refiling of the Cagandahan Bill, which seeks to uphold the rights, dignity, and bodily autonomy of intersex individuals. The initiative also works to strengthen intersex-inclusive provisions in existing laws such as the Rare Diseases Act and the Universal Health Care Law.
The advocacy officially kicks off with a Media Conference on August 18, 2025, featuring representatives from the Embassy of Canada, lawmakers from the Senate and House of Representatives, and government agencies supporting the intersex rights agenda.
“We are at a critical moment where visibility must translate into protection and policy change. The support of the Canadian Embassy ensures that intersex voices are heard and recognized at the national level,” said Jeff Cagandahan, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Intersex Philippines.
