Transgender:
People who identify differently from the gender assigned to them at birth are known as transgender individuals.
They might use medical procedures to match their body to their gender identity, or they might express their gender identification in a way that is different from that of their biological sex.
It encompasses gender-queer individuals, trans person with intersex variants, and those with sociocultural identities as kinnar, hijra, aaravani, and jogta.
The 2011 Indian Census was the first in the nation's history to include the number of "trans" people living here. According to the report, 4.8 million Indians identified to be transgender.
Challenges faced By transgenders in India:
Lack of Legal Protection:
Transgender individuals face custodial violence and neglect by state authorities.
Their issues, such as access to education, housing, healthcare, and employment, are often ignored.
Poverty:
Lack of legal protection leads to high unemployment rates.
Transgender people often experience housing insecurity and social marginalization.
Harassment and Stigma:
Society ridicules transgender individuals, labeling them as mentally ill or socially deviant.
They are frequently viewed as sexually predatory.
Anti-Transgender Violence:
Transgender individuals are subjected to forced gender conformity and pseudo-psychotherapies.
They face forced marriages, physical and verbal abuse, and are often pushed into prostitution by their families.
Societal Stigma
Transgender individuals experience social exclusion, leading to mental health problems and substance abuse.
They are often stereotyped, limiting their opportunities in employment, education, and healthcare.
Family rejection leaves many transgender people without support or economic stability.
Discrimination
Transgender individuals face significant threats from hate crimes, physical and verbal abuse, and sexual assault.
Discrimination in educational institutions restricts their access to quality education and career opportunities.
Employment discrimination results in high rates of unemployment or underemployment, exacerbating their economic vulnerability.
Healthcare disparities deter transgender individuals from seeking necessary medical care, including gender-affirming procedures.
Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019:
Prohibits discrimination against transgender individuals in education, employment, healthcare, and other services.
Recognizes the right to self-perceived gender identity.
Provides for the establishment of a National Council for Transgender Persons to advise the government on policies related to transgender individuals.
Garima Greh (Shelter Home for Transgender Persons):
Provides safe and secure housing for transgender individuals.
Offers basic amenities, healthcare, and livelihood support.
SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise);
A comprehensive scheme aimed at supporting the livelihood and social inclusion of transgender individuals.
Includes skill development programs, economic opportunities, and social security.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)
Includes transgender individuals as beneficiaries.
Provides health insurance coverage for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
National Portal for Transgenders:
Facilitates the application process for a transgender certificate and identity card.
Provides information on various welfare schemes and initiatives for transgender individuals.
These measures reflect the government's commitment to protecting the rights of transgender individuals and improving their social, economic, and health outcomes. However, effective implementation and continuous monitoring are crucial to ensure that these initiatives truly benefit the transgender community.