MAINS – GS II –Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these

Why in News?

Recently March 31^st is celebrated as the International Transgender Day of Visibility

What are the challenges faced by the transgender persons?

• Discrimination – Transgender individuals face acute economic marginalization, harassment, family rejection, and discrimination.
• Workplace discrimination – Their unemployment rate is at 48%, compared to the national average of 7–8% which is very low.
• Discrimination at the hiring stage leads to workplace hostility, absence of gender-neutral facilities, and bias from colleagues.
• Less financial inclusion – In 2024, the Union Finance Ministry allowed LGBTQ+ individuals to open joint bank accounts and nominate partners as beneficiaries.
• However, such financial inclusion measures are scattered and fail to address economic discrimination.
• Bias in education system – Transgender individuals are pushed out of schools due to bullying, lack of support, and discriminatory environments.
• The 2011 Census recorded a transgender literacy rate of only 56.1%, far below the national average of 74.04%.
• Neglected healthcare – A NALSA survey revealed that 27% of transgender persons were denied medical care due to their gender identity.
• Gender-affirming procedures remain expensive and are not adequately covered under existing public health schemes.
• Less representation – While the visibility of transgender individuals has increased in media and public discourse, it often reinforces stereotypes.
• True inclusion requires removing deep-rooted prejudices in families, schools, workplaces, and public institutions.
• Data inadequacy - Census of India does not collect any data specifically on ‘transgender’.
• The Registrar General of India (RGI), during Enumeration of Census 2011, for the first time provided three code i.e. Male-1, Female-2 and other-3 for enumeration.
• The category of ‘other’ would not only include ‘transgender’ but also any person who desires to record sex under the category of ‘other’.
• Some transgender had returned themselves either male or female depending upon their choice.

The population of ‘other’ as per Census 2011 is 4,87,803.

• Weak implementation of Transgender rights act – National Portal for Transgender Persons had received 24,115 identity card applications, but only 15,800 certificates had been issued.

What are the government initiatives for Transgender person?

• National Council for Transgender Persons (NCTP) – Apex statutory body established under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act  2019 to advise, monitor, and coordinate welfare policies for transgender persons
• SMILE - Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise - Welfare measures for both transgender persons and persons who are engaged in the act of begging.
• MoU with National Health Authority (NHA) under Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) – It enables transgender persons to access cashless healthcare benefits under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
• Garima Greh – Shelter homes for destitute transgender persons.
• Transgender Protection Cells and Transgender Welfare Boards (TWB) have been set up in various states.
• Grievance Redressal Officer - Advisories are issued to all Union Ministries and States/UTs for designating Grievance Redressal Officer, for non-discrimination of transgender persons.
• Identify recognition - It has been instructed to providing option of “Transgender” along with options of male and female wherever any gender related information is collected.
• Equal Opportunities Policy for Transgender Persons - Social Justice & Empowerment department has issued the policy to ensure the Transgender community has equal access to employment opportunities.

What lies ahead?

• The journey from visibility to true inclusion for transgender individuals in India requires transformative change, making transgender rights a moral and constitutional imperative.
• Effective policy implementation – Transgender welfare needs to be integrated into mainstream development schemes.
• Economic empowerment – Affirmative actions can be encouraged in hiring, skill development.
• Inclusive banking policies and government-backed entrepreneurship loans to increase credit ownership of transgenders.
• Educational reforms – Gender-sensitization in curriculam, creating safe school environments, and ensuring support mechanisms like scholarships and peer counselling.

• States like Maharashtra and Kerala have introduced transgender-inclusive college policies and reserved hostel facilities, national policies remain fragmented.

• Awareness and media sensitization – Public awareness campaigns and promoting inclusive representation in popular culture and mass media can boost acceptance.

• Events like the Koovagam Festival in Tamil Nadu celebrate transgender identity and can serve to change social attitudes.

• Legal reforms – Strengthen anti-discrimination laws and ensure strict enforcement.
• Community participation – Initiatives such as the “I Am Also Human” campaign by the Humsafar Trust are steps in the right direction but require broader participation.

Reference

The Hindu | Transgender Rights International Transgender Day of Visibility