Essay on From the Margins to the Mainstream: Empowering the Transgender Community for Class 12, Mains Exam (UPSC, PSC, SSC)
From the Margins to the Mainstream: Empowering the Transgender Community Essay : Transgender can be defined as individuals whose sense of personal identity does not correspond with the sex that was determined at the time of the individual’s birth. For instance, a woman identifies herself as a man born in a woman’s womb and vice-versa. Hence she would have to undergo medical procedures to obtain a masculine physique. Despite several references to the existence of transgender communities, India in its more modern times has led to relegating these communities to the outskirts of mainstream society.
Discussion
The census of 2011 records the existence of 4,87,803 persons including transgender persons as ‘others’ or marginalised genders in Indian society.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment enacted “ The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019” for protecting the fundamental rights of the transgender community and their welfare. The transgender community are recognized as legitimate citizens as they are now guaranteed the important rights of life, expression, social participation, education, employment and perhaps the most important right of protection against exploitation. The Act has made several welfare provisions for the transgender community.
The Ministry of the “ SMILE” scheme which stands for “ Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise” on 12 February 2022. The sub-scheme “Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons” focus on the rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities and intervention, counselling, education, skill development, and economic linkages to the transgender community.
In addition to the welfare and protective schemes, the Government of India has also constituted the National Council for Transgender Persons on 21 August 2020. The council’s objectives were to advise the government regarding the policies, programmes, legislation and projects with respect to transgender persons’ betterment of living standards.
Along with provisions for societal improvement for the transgender community, the Indian Ministry has also made provisions for online development programs like creating the National Portals for Transgender Persons on 25 November 2020. Certificates and cards of Identity can be collected by applying to the portal without any physical interface. The certified person would be able to make any personal changes like the first name on official documents of relevance.
The Ministry has also instructed the construction of 12 pilot shelter homes called ‘Garima Greh: Shelter Home for Transgender Persons. The objective of these shelter homes is to provide safe and secure shelter homes in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Western Bengal, Rajasthan, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha.
The Ministry has completely aided full financial assistance to Community Based Organizations for amenities like food, shelter, medical facilities, recreational activities as well as skill development and capacity-building programmes.
Conclusion
To surmise, the Transgender community has suffered unsurmountable stigma and oppression from society. The Ministry of Welfare’s recognition of the rights of the Transgender Community and their subsequent provisions has brought about a paradigmatic shift in their existence.
Transgender communities have the scope of acquiring skills through PM Daksh. This move will enable society to incorporate the transgender community into the mainstream.
FAQs
Q1. What does the Indian census of 2011 state?
Ans: The census of 2011 records the existence of 4,87,803 persons including transgender persons as ‘others’ or marginalised genders in Indian society.
Q2. Which provisions were made to promote welfare of transgender community?
Ans: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment enacted “ The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019” for protecting the fundamental rights of the transgender community and their welfare.
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