Intersex Awareness Day is observed worldwide every October 26 to highlight the challenges faced by intersex individuals. The day originated from a demonstration organized by intersex activists from the Intersex Society of North America and allies from The Transexual Menace in Boston on October 26, 1996, coinciding with the American Academy of Pediatrics' annual conference. The observance aims to end shame, secrecy, and unwanted genital cosmetic surgeries on intersex children. Intersex refers to people whose biological sex cannot be easily categorized as female or male due to various biological attributes or the absence of certain characteristics. Estimates suggest that intersex individuals represent between 1.7% and 4% of the global population.