Kolkata: The Association of Transgender/Hijra in Bengal on Monday put forth the demand of shelter home and job reservation. The association had earlier approached the government about the problem of transgender children, many of whom are driven out of homes.
"Violence against the transgender community is increasing day by day. From April 2018 till date, we have received 19 such complaints. That is why we want that there should be a shelter home for us. We have met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently and urged her to give us shelter home. She told us that she will look into the matter," said Ranjita Sinha, founder of the Association of Transgender/Hijra in Bengal, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Monday.
She reiterated that there is no provision in healthcare and employment opportunities for the transgenders either.
"We have submitted a charter of our demands mentioning reservation of transgenders in education and job sector," pointed out Sinha, a transgender and member of the national and Bengal's transgender development board.
It might be mentioned that the state's transgender people are to be enlisted as voters for the first time since being recognised as the 'third gender' by Supreme Court. The process of having them registered as voters is already underway.