Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

Despite the Supreme Court's recognition of transgender persons as a 'third gender' and the Transgender Persons Act, 2019, government policies still follow a gender-binary approach. As a result, many of the 4.88 lakh transgender people (Census 2011) remain excluded from welfare schemes due to marginalization.

Body

Structural and Socio-Cultural Barriers to Transgender Access to Welfare Schemes:

• Lack of Legal Recognition: Many transgender persons lack identity documents reflecting their gender, restricting their access to welfare schemes that require such verification.
  • Government systems largely follow binary gender norms, excluding transgender individuals from gender-specific benefits.
• Social Marginalization: Transgender individuals face social exclusion, limited public access, and harassment due to lack of inclusive facilities.
  • In education, bullying and discrimination lead to high dropout rates, with a literacy rate of only 46% compared to the national average of 74%.
  • Transgender individuals in India face healthcare discrimination and a heightened vulnerability to HIV, with a 3.1% prevalence rate (UNAIDS).
    • They lack dedicated healthcare facilities, with only one such center in Hyderabad, which is now closed.
  • Transgender individuals often face economic marginalization, pushing them into begging, sex work, or exploitative entertainment for survival.
• Homelessness: Family rejection and lack of inclusive housing options drive many transgender youth to homelessness, where they are vulnerable to abuse, mental health issues, and substance use.
• Transphobia: Pervasive transphobia, marked by fear, prejudice, and hostility toward transgender individuals results in widespread discrimination, harassment, and violence, both in public and private spaces.
  • Due to stigma, and constant marginalization, transgender persons often suffer from anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
• Public Representation: Negative portrayals in media and limited visibility in public discourse reinforce harmful stereotypes, deepening societal rejection and enabling further discrimination.

Measures to Overcome these Barriers:

• Welfare schemes should be designed to be inclusive of the third gender, with flexible documentation processes that accommodate transgender persons.
• Additionally, promoting transgender inclusion in policy implementation is essential, such as through roles like ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and Mahila Police Volunteers, ensuring they have a prominent presence in community and health-related initiatives.
• Public service employees must be trained in sensitivity and anti-discrimination practices to ensure equal access to welfare services.
• Strengthening the legal recognition of transgender identities and improving social security provisions.

Conclusion

A comprehensive and inclusive approach is essential, beyond just policies and regulations focusing on sensitising legal, administrative, and law enforcement systems to the specific challenges faced by transgender individuals.