Mainstreaming the Transgender Persons with aim of Viksit Bharat-Building an inclusive society through SMILE

The commitment of building a Viksit Bharat would be incomplete without an inclusive society where all sections co-exist with dignity and harmony without any discrimination. With strong will to full-fill this commitment, on 12^th Feb, 2021 Support for Marginalized Individual for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) scheme with sub-scheme Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Person was launched.

This sub-scheme has dedicated components for providing health care support, skill development support, shelter home support for destitute transgender persons, provision to setup transgender protection cells at district and state level, provision to setup transgender welfare boards at state level, trans-safe toilets etc.

Recognizing the right of self-perceived identity to transgender persons a National Portal for Transgender Persons was launched in November 2020. The identity certificate issued through this Portal is a valid and recognized document for update of name and gender in AADHAR, educational certificates etc. Till date a total of 16463 transgender identity certificates have been issued through the portal.

Transgender persons often face discrimination, violence and atrocities and hence they need special protection in society. To ensure their protection The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019 and Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019 were brought and provision of Transgender Protection Cell at State and District level and Transgender Welfare Board at State level has been made in SMILE scheme. A guideline for model transgender welfare board has been circulated by the Ministry to all States/UTs.  Further, all States/UTs/Union Ministries/Departments have been asked to ensure to provide option of “transgender” wherever any gender related information is collected.

Safe residential facility in from of shelter home for destitute transgender persons has also been kept as an essential part of the SMILE scheme. The shelter homes, called Garima Greh, not only provide free lodging and food but also free counselling, life skills, technical skills so that the residents come out as a confident and positive person with respectable mode of livelihood. Till date more than 400 transgender persons have been provided skill development trainings and have gained employment. There are 12 Garima Greh offering rehabilitation and mainstreaming services are operational in different part of country and it has been envisioned to setup atleast one Garima Greh in each State/UT.

The story of Saburi Yadav, Deepaka Yadav, Krishi Tandi, Naina sori, Soniya Janghel, Shivanya Patel, Nishu Chhattriya,Komal Sahu, Tanushree Sahu,Sunil, Divya Nishad, Himanshi Kumar, Damni Korram, Rani Mandavi, Seema Pradhan, Sandhiya Kumar, Bharka, Riya Mandavi, Saanu of Chhattisgarh is quite inspiring. When came out as transgender persons they faced discrimination in society, even disowned by their families. They all found safe abode at Raipur Garima Greh which is operated by Chhattisgarh Mitwa Sankalp Samiti and completely funded by MoSJE. Though uncertain about their future, they were determined to do something meaningful in their life which may become inspiration for others, dignity for themselves and leave impact on society.  Raipur Garima Greh arranged life skill trainings, mental ability examination trainings and physical examination trainings and today 9 of them are serving the State at Bastar Fighter unit of Chattisgarh Police and 13 of them are serving as Constable at Chattisgarh Police.

The 9 Residents of Raipur Garima Greh serving at Bastar Fighter unit of Chattisgarh Police

 

The 13residents of Raipur Garima Greh serving at Bastar Fighter unit of Chattisgarh Police

 

The 7residents of Raipur Garima Greh serving as Security Guard at G4S security, Vedanta group

Arunita, Sakashi, Aarohi, Khushi, Roma, Sandhya,Pravita of Raipur Garima Greh cracked the interviews and gained employment at G4S security, Vedanta group as Security Guard.  .

Shradha Priyadarshini from Odisha was born as male but later identified herself as transgender person. As her family members did not accept her self-identification as transgender, she left her family to found safe and caring shelter at Bhubneshwar Garima Greh operated by CBO Sakha. Garima Greh provided her skill training in beauty and wellness. Now she is a practising beautician and continuing her graduation as well.

Shradha, a resident of Bhubaneshwar Garima Greh as practicing beautician

 

Transgender persons either in gender transition mode or in their existing self-perceived gender identity have various medical needs. An MoU has been signed with National Health Authority for a specialized Ayushman Bharat TG Plus card for providing more than 50 health benefit services to transgender persons and for first time gender re-assignment as well as cosmetic treatments have been included under Ayushman Bharat scheme for transgender persons.

On request of this Ministry, Swachh Bharat Mission(Urban) has included dedicated toilets for transgender persons in their policy guidelines and Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship is in process of formulating specialized skill development training programme for transgender persons. Meanwhile National Institute of Social Defence is in process of finalizing demand-driven skill development training activities dedicatedly for transgender persons. Aim of skill development and skill up-gradation of transgender persons is not limited to ensuring their positive inclusion in national workforce but to self-employment as well so that they can contribute to nation building for Atmanirbhar Bharat and ultimately leading to Viksit Bharat.

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MG/ MS/ VL