Malawi Intersex Rights Activist Samantha MacJessie Dies

Malawian intersex rights activist Samantha Sammie MacJessie, who founded the IVY Foundation to raise awareness of intersex issues and advocate for the rights of intersex people, has died.

Intersex people are born with sex characteristics, including reproductive organs, hormones or chromosomes, that do not fit typical definitions of male or female bodies.

MacJessie established the IVY Foundation in 2016 to promote understanding of intersex people and create an environment that better addresses their needs.

The organisation operates in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu, Malawi’s three major cities.

Born to a Malawian mother and a South African father, MacJessie dedicated her work to raising awareness of intersex issues and promoting the rights and dignity of intersex people.

Her death is a loss to those working to improve understanding and inclusion of intersex people in Malawi.

Details surrounding the circumstances of her death and funeral arrangements have not yet been made public.