Source: Human Rights Commission
Statistics New Zealand’s new Gender, Sex, and Variations of Sex Characteristics statistical standard published yesterday is a positive step forward says the Human Rights Commission.
Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt said transgender, non-binary, and intersex New Zealanders enrich the diversity of Aotearoa and contribute to the fabric of our society.
Statistics New Zealand has committed to collecting information on both gender and sex in the 2023 Census, and the inclusion of a question on variations of sex characteristics (intersex) is being tested and considered.
“These measures take steps towards fulfilling the human rights principles of dignity, empowerment, and non-discrimination,” Hunt said.
“We hope the collection and publication of this data will improve policy-making, and enhance accountability on the issues facing transgender, non-binary, and intersex New Zealanders.”
The revised standard refers to the Commission’s 2020 Prism report with recommendations on human rights issues relating to rainbow communities in Aotearoa.
“The transparent and participatory process undertaken by Statistics New Zealand to involve an external advisory group of community experts, tangata whenua, government agencies, and the public to update the way data are collected on these topics is commendable,” says Hunt.
