"Not only prevent girl child from dragging into prostitution but also help them build their lives."
What is our goal in the long run?
Transgender people are individuals whose gender identities do not pertain to their biological sex, and thus they differ from the stereotype of how men and women normally are. ‘Transgender’ does not include sexual orientation or physical sex characteristics, but is in fact a less clinical term which pertains to gender identity and gender expression. Thus transgender people encompass those people whose identity and behavior do not adhere to the stereotypical gender norms. They may be gay, transsexual, transvestite, or gender queer. Since the beginning of time and the existence of mankind, transgenders have been very much a part of the society. It is just that they have been given a name and a status in the society in recent times, and now there is even medical technology available especially for them.
Transgenders in India?
Donate to a specific project need, for example to "20 euros for a wheelbarrow ", or else to a project generally e.g. "Building a school in Mombasa, Kenya". You can always donate anonymously. Rather than a one-off donation, you can become a monthly donor. Also a possibility with many projects: donations in kind or donating your time as a volunteer. In India, transgender people include hijras/ kinnars (eunuchs), shiv-shaktis, jogappas, Sakhi, jogtas, Aradhis etc. In fact, there are many who do not belong to any of the groups but are transgender persons individually. Transgenders fall under the LGBT group (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender). They constitute the marginalised section of the society in India, and thus face legal, social as well as economic difficulties.
The problems faced by the transgender people in India include:
These people are shunned by family and society alike. They have restricted access to education, health services and public spaces. Till recently, they were excluded from effectively participating in social and cultural life. Politics and decision-making processes have been out of their reach. Transgender people have difficulty in exercising their basic civil rights. Reports of harassment, violence, denial of services, and unfair treatment against transgender persons have come to light. Sexual activity between two persons of the same sex is criminalised, and is punishable by incarceration.
In a landmark judgement in 2014, the Supreme Court observed that “The transgender community, generally known as “Hijras” in this country, are a section of Indian citizens who are treated by the society as “unnatural and generally as objects of ridicule and even fear on account of superstition”. In its judgement, the Supreme Court passed the ruling that “In view of the constitutional guarantee, the transgender community is entitled to basic rights i.e. Right to Personal Liberty, dignity, Freedom of expression, Right to Education and Empowerment, Right against violence, Discrimination and exploitation and Right to work. Moreover, every person must have the right to decide his/her gender expression and identity, including transsexuals, transgenders, hijras and should have right to freely express their gender identity and be considered as a third sex.” Thus, today the transgender people in India are considered to be the Third Gender.
What are the problems faced by transgender people in India?
Even when qualified recruiters are against employing them. But one such exception is India's first transgender college principal - BBC News No equality in public Looked down as degraded and unworthy to live Rejection of Entry directly or indirectly at some Public Places like Hospitals, Hotels, Malls, Restaurants, Dance Floors, Theaters, Shopping Complexes Raped & Abused orally and physically Forced to leave Parental Home if identified as a Transgender Unwanted attention is given to their presence
Conclusion
Each being in this Universe is indeed unique, and an integral part of Nature. It would thus be wrong to judge and discriminate people who may be different from the stereotype, which again is man-made. It is time that India realised that every individual in this country has equal rights and privileges, and follow the policy of “live and let live.”
