Officials must treat transgender persons with respect, says Udupi DC
At an awareness workshop on transgender rights held at the deputy commissioner's office in Rajathadri, she said, "Everyone is equal before the law. The Constitution prohibits discrimination based on caste, community, or gender. Any disrespectful behaviour towards transgender persons by govt staff will invite legal action."
The DC noted that the govt has introduced various schemes and welfare programmes for the upliftment of the transgender community.
She said awareness must be created about these schemes so that transgender persons can benefit from them. "They are also eligible for guarantee schemes. They must be ensured access to benefits such as housing and employment," she added.
Zilla panchayat CEO Prateek Bayal said that transgender individuals can avail themselves of income-generating opportunities through the National Rural Livelihood Mission. "If they form self-help groups, they can receive skill training and financial assistance for self-employment," he said.
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If transgender persons apply for housing or sites at the gram panchayats, they will be given priority. Those with the required qualifications will be considered for employment in govt outsourcing agencies, he added.
Akkai Padmashali, activist and founder of Ondede, said that achievement has no gender. "India's legal system upholds the rights of the transgender community and supports their right to live independently.
They should be given opportunities to become educated and attain high positions," she said.
Further, she said, "When someone is born male but grows into a woman, the transgender community is forced to face many challenges. Society must accept us as women and create opportunities for us to live with dignity and become part of the mainstream."
During the interaction, several transgender individuals shared their concerns. They said that as they enter adolescence, they are often forced to leave their families and move to other cities. "We struggle to find housing. Even if we are educated, we hardly get jobs, forcing us into begging. We urge that opportunities be created for us in terms of jobs and housing," they appealed.
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