Archive · 3 Sep 2026
NHRC Monitor Seeks DSD Recognition for Gender-Non-Confirming Children
Gopi Shankar Madurai is a special monitor for the National Human Rights Commission.
He asked Kerala to treat some children with gender-related genetic variations in a specific way.
He suggested calling them children with Differences of Sex Development, or DSD, instead of labelling them transgender.
He said these children should receive financial help and special shelter homes.
He also recommended genetic counselling for them.
Shankar asked officials to create rules to protect their rights.
He suggested a separate way to register their births.
Kerala’s Child Rights Commission said it could work with the NHRC on these issues.
Gopi Shankar Madurai urged recognition of Gender Non-Confirming Children under the Differences of Sex Development category.
He said such children should not be labelled transgender.
Shankar called for financial assistance, special shelter homes and genetic counselling for GNCC children.
He suggested a separate Health Department system to register births of children with genetic variations.
The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights said it could pursue joint initiatives with the NHRC.
- Who
- National Human Rights Commission special monitor Gopi Shankar Madurai, Kerala officials and the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
- What
- A call was made to recognise Gender Non-Confirming Children under the Differences of Sex Development category and provide them with additional protections and support.
- When
- The remarks were made during a visit reported on Thursday; the article is dated September 3.
- Where
- The visit took place at the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights office in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Why
- Shankar said the change could help address rights violations and ensure financial assistance, shelter, counselling and appropriate birth registration.
- Person making the proposal
- Gopi Shankar Madurai, special monitor of the National Human Rights Commission
- Children concerned
- Gender Non-Confirming Children (GNCC)
- Suggested category
- Differences of Sex Development (DSD)
- Requested support
- Financial assistance, special shelter homes and genetic counselling
- Registration proposal
- A separate Health Department system for registering births of children with genetic variations
- Additional recommendation
- Preparation of guidelines and serious treatment of rights violations
- Response
- The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights said joint initiatives could be undertaken