Why in News ?

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has constituted the National Council for Transgender Persons a requirement under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

About National Council for Transgender Persons

• Social Justice Minister would be the chairperson of the Council
• Other members would include officials of the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Home Affairs, Housing and Urban Affairs, Minority Affairs, Human Resources Development, Rural Development and Labour and Employment, the Department of Legal Affairs, the Department of Pensions and Pensioners Welfare and the NITI Aayog.
• Also includes five nominated members from the transgender community
• Representatives from five states or Union Territories, on a rotational basis, will be members of the commission.
• Aim :
  • Advise the Centre on policies, programmes, legislation and projects with respect to transgender persons. Also to monitor and evaluate the impact of policies and programmes
  • Review and coordinate the activities of all the departments of government and other governmental and non-governmental organisations
  • Redress the grievances of transgender persons and perform any functions assigned by the Central Government.

Issues Faced by Transgender

Educational :   Many trans persons fall in the category of school drop outs. Dropping out from the school leads to the future access for the employment opportunities and all. .

Health care services : Numerous incidents to suggest inappropriate behaviour and discrimination displayed towards them. Many medical care units are unaware as to how to treat transgender people, and how to meet their needs. 

Employment : Since the dropout rate increases the employment access will be difficult. Also hiring biases, job discrimination, wage inequalities, workplace harassment and denied benefits are a major ways of discrimination in the  employment opportunities for trans persons.

Societal discrimination : Denial of Entry into public places like malls, restaurants, Theaters, Shopping Complexes. Unwanted attention is given to their presence and not behave normal in their presence or with them. 

Family Issues :  Discrimination within the family is another issue faced by Transgender. They may forced to leave the home once changed to transgender.

Way Forward

Social support is very important for reducing the sense of isolation that many transgender persons experience. Equality should come out of theories and starts with access to good education, access to all job opportunities and good healthcare systems.

By promoting the support group is another way to change the attitude of society towards them. Thereby providing awareness among the society. 

Source : The Hindu

Topic 

Prelims :  National Council for Transgender Persons

GS I : Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies

GS II : Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections