794 gender changes in Belgium since 1993

In the last 22 years, 794 people in Belgium have officially changed their gender, according to the Institute for equality between women and men, following Transgender Remembrance Day. The day occurs annually on 20 November to bring attention to the continued injustices endured by the transgender community.

Two-thirds of the gender changes were requested by transgenders who had undergone male-to-female sex reassignment surgery, and one-third had undergone female-to-male operations, says the Institute. Official sex changes happen at all ages, but transgender men in Belgium are on average 32 years old when they change gender, while the average age for transgender women is 49 years.

"Transgender people face discrimination on a daily basis, and run into so many obstacles just trying to have their rights respected," says the Institute, which is therefore urging lawmakers to urgently come up with a new action plan against transgender discrimination and violence.