Survey on socio-economic conditions of Delhi's transgenders to be undertaken

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government is set to undertake a comprehensive survey on the conditions of the transgenders in the Capital and compile information pertaining to education, employment, health schemes and the status of the constitutional rights of transgender citizens.

The government will also form a Transgender Welfare Board, headed by Delhi Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam.

The formation of this Board has long been a frequently raised demand of the transgender community, in addition to access to basic amenities such as affordable housing, proper healthcare, and employment opportunities.

Last Wednesday, Gautam wrote to the Social Welfare Department, directing it to form a committee and tasking it with conducting an extensive study on the condition of transgender people residing in the national Capital.

In the letter, the Minister asked officials to departmentalise information on the socio-economic conditions of the community, that is currently being carried out by different social organisations.

The Transgender Welfare Board will then collate information about transgenders' education, employment, health schemes and the status of their constitutional rights.

"The Board will incorporate the recommendations of the committee in its report. The government will then initiate schemes for their development and give them equality in society," Gautam said, adding that the Board will be set up in six months' time.

Gautam also said that the Board will launch schemes for the upliftment of members of the transgender community and enable them to attain equality in society.

Reports collated by an NGO have suggested that a large part of the transgender community has to resort to begging or soliciting money at celebratory occasions, owing to the lack of mainstream employment among them.

Meanwhile, fear of discrimination and bullying discourages members of the community to attend schools or colleges, which has resulted in a majority of their members remaining ill-educated.