Social inclusion of transgenders through community planning: a case study of Indore city

Abstract

There are total 3.77 million Transgenders or eunuchs (Hijra) in the country. Majority of them are found in UP with 5% share of total population of the state. Of the total transgender population in India, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi have 11%, 6%, 6.5%, 4.5%, 6.5% and 5% respectively. Amongst the several ways that they resort to earn, begging and sex-services are the most dominant occupations, resulting in varied health issues such as HIV. (Bisen, 2015). Online and offline published literature reveal that most of the activists, working for the transgenders’ rights and their improvement are present in Delhi and Mumbai region. Organizations such as Humsafar trust, Mingle, Udaan trust, Sappho, Naz Foundation are some of the examples. In India, a total of 103 such Organizations exist (South Asian Transgender Groups, Organisations and Network, 2011) but most of them are working in Delhi, UP, Maharashtra and surrounding regions. Central states are still facing low acceptance for these communities. In 2014, the transgenders protection bill started to evolve. It is still under debate in Lok sabha. It talks about the educational rights of transgenders, their reservation in different administrations and the punishment in case of violence to their substantive rights. Despite that the condition of transgenders is troublesome. The study reveals that there is a negative Transgender Acceptance Index i.e. -2.5 in Indore city as compared to high positive value i.e. 6 of nation. For the purpose of detailed research intergenerational gap analysis has been done. The study consists of the issues pertaining to the third gender communities in Indore city. There are different sets of groups within the community that have been separately studied. In the first Phase of study, the movement patterns of both the groups have been identified through maptionnaire surveys. Their working pattern and hierarchy has been studied. Most of the transgenders do not have residential space and are forced to live in congestion in the core city with rest of their community. The solutions for the same is incorporated through the vi research. The emotional and social barriers and accessibility to the social amenities like healthcare facilities, schools etc. in the city has been analysed. The study focuses on the intra community disparity as well as the conflicts within the society. The study will also help in identifying the potential employment generation and skill development methods. The suitable locations and a framework for the same has also been identified. By the end of the research, we will be able to identify the potential threats and barriers for the community as well as come up with the solutions at the city level with the help of suitable policy level recommendations.