Call to empower transgenders through education

Speaking to reporters on National Transgender Day, which has been observed on April 15 every year, Jeeva, one of the first members of the Transgender Welfare Board formed in 2008, said, “We thought that the Board would support our community as we were represented in it earlier. When the government changed, the significance of the Board too went down.” 

“Now, we don’t know who is running the Board, what funds are being allotted for our welfare and how they are being spent,” she added. There are an estimated 35,000 transgender members in the state going by the number of voter’s IDs, Social Welfare Board and State Health Department data. But many like Jeeva contest the numbers, saying it would be higher. 

“Unless the real numbers are known, no welfare measures will be useful. We are yet to ascertain it as there is no separate census. Tamil Nadu has been a role model in implementing welfare schemes, but we have a long way to go in sensitising the society. We also need to strengthen educational facilities for the transgender community,” said AJ Hariharan of Indian Community Welfare Organisation.

“Transgenders drop out from schools due to discrimination. If the government can ensure 2-3 per cent reservation in employment and bring private organisations on board for the same, it will put an end to their economic insecurities,” said Jeyaganesh, deputy state programme manager, Swasti, which works in seven districts. 

Hariharan pointed out, “Acceptance should begin in their homes, if we have to address the root cause of the problem. They wouldn’t have to turn to prostitution or begging then.” Sudha, a transgender social worker, said, “The Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, which has been offering free education for the community, has been a role model for others to follow.”