Kerala: Transgender goes to social justice

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The welfare of the transgender community will be the responsibility of the Social Justice department, and not the Women and Child Department that has been carved out of it. Earlier there were suggestions from various quarters that the transgender community, considering their extreme social fragility, should be treated just like women and children. However, a top source in the Social Justice Department said the transgender community's care was retained with the parent department for the very same reason. "It is true that transgenders require as much attention as women and children, and that is also why it was thought prudent to keep their welfare in the parent Department's care," the official said.

“The biggest programmes the Social Justice Department had handled were related to children, especially the centrally-funded ICDS and ICPS projects. Now that these have been shifted to the new Department, the parent department will have the time and resources for implementing the various projects outlined in the Transgender Policy," the official said. After bifurcation, the care for elderly and transgender has become the mandate of the Social Justice Department. 

A vocational training scheme and a special home for the care of transgenders are a couple of projects on the anvil. Earlier, the government had also promised homes for transgenders under the EMS Housing Scheme. "A study we had conducted has found that transgenders are facing serious discrimination both at home and society. Our social mores have made it extremely difficult for transgenders to pursue the vocations of their choice," the official said.

Here is what Komal, a transgender activist said: "We have post graduates among us who are forced to do menial jobs to make ends meet. Our behaviour might seem odd but that does not mean we cannot function as efficiently as a male of a female." The outstanding issues that will be taken up by the Social Justice Department with increased urgency post bifurcation are the distribution of identity cards, scholarship for transgender students, awareness about transgender problems, vocational training and institutional help.