Click HERE to read in Kannada | ಕನ್ನಡ
Partner organizations* - Haiyya, STAR, Jeeva, Ondede, Sangama, Swatantra, Payana, Parivartan Trust
Demanding rights in a society that privileges cis-gender peoples’ rights at the cost of other gender-minorities is a steep slope. For transgender persons, this involves demanding anything from having IDs to accessing education and reservations. In 2017, which was almost 5 years ago, Karnataka passed the Karnataka State Policy On Transgender Persons, 2017 with a comprehensive set of laws.
What does the policy promise?
The aim of the policy is “to empower transgender persons and protect their fundamental rights.” Moreover, it “encourages all departments of the Government to include the development of transgender persons in their programmes and schemes.”
In summary, the policy includes the following:
Protection from discrimination on the grounds of their gender identity.
Access to education at all levels, scholarships and reservations for transgender persons.
Access to healthcare that is responsive to their specific needs.
Employment opportunities to earn a livelihood. The policy also provides for reservations for transgender persons in government jobs and in private sector enterprises that receive government funding or contracts.
Social welfare schemes on an equal basis with other citizens.
Implementation and monitoring which involves the establishment of a State Transgender Welfare Board to oversee the implementation of the policy and address any grievances or complaints that may arise.
What is the issue?
While the policy has existed on paper for half a decade, it remains ignored at the level of implementation.
The Karnataka transgender policy has not seen the light of the day in any region of Karnataka. So even though transgender persons have rights and welfare that they can avail on paper, in reality, they continue to struggle to access basic rights like education, employment, and healthcare. As a result, transgender community’s issues remain marginalized and transgender rights are being constantly pushed under the carpet by politicians. Leaders of the community have expressed that:
while “a policy is welcome, it is of no use if no budget is allocated” for it to be functional.
What can you do?
Karnataka State elections are around the corner. Prior to the elections, members of the transgender community will be visiting different political parties and setting forth the following demands for their inclusion in the political parties public statements:
Adequate fund allocation for the successful implementation of the policy.
The creation a functioning Cell of Transgender Persons as outlined in the 2017 Policy which includes:
issuing ID cards for transgender persons within 30 days.
providing an outline of how government departments will be sensitized on the struggles and realities faced by transgender persons.
Implement 1% reservation in all-levels of education and employment.
Representation of the transgender community in Karnataka’s Transgender Welfare Board.
Creation of a separate Transgender Persons’ Welfare department. Currently, all issues concerning the transgender community are under the Women and Child Department.
Creation of shelter homes for transgender people.
*Multiple and ongoing conversations with the partners have fed onto this campaign and have made it what it is. A special thank you to each and every person who joined us at multiple stages. #transrights #equalityforall
Click HERE to read in Kannada | ಕನ್ನಡ
Partner organizations* - Haiyya, STAR, Jeeva, Ondede, Sangama, Swatantra, Payana, Parivartan Trust
Demanding rights in a society that privileges cis-gender peoples’ rights at the cost of other gender-minorities is a steep slope. For transgender persons, this involves demanding anything from having IDs to accessing education and reservations. In 2017, which was almost 5 years ago, Karnataka passed the Karnataka State Policy On Transgender Persons, 2017 with a comprehensive set of laws.
What does the policy promise?
The aim of the policy is “to empower transgender persons and protect their fundamental rights.” Moreover, it “encourages all departments of the Government to include the development of transgender persons in their programmes and schemes.”
In summary, the policy includes the following:
Protection from discrimination on the grounds of their gender identity.
Access to education at all levels, scholarships and reservations for transgender persons.
Access to healthcare that is responsive to their specific needs.
Employment opportunities to earn a livelihood. The policy also provides for reservations for transgender persons in government jobs and in private sector enterprises that receive government funding or contracts.
Social welfare schemes on an equal basis with other citizens.
Implementation and monitoring which involves the establishment of a State Transgender Welfare Board to oversee the implementation of the policy and address any grievances or complaints that may arise.
What is the issue?
While the policy has existed on paper for half a decade, it remains ignored at the level of implementation.
The Karnataka transgender policy has not seen the light of the day in any region of Karnataka. So even though transgender persons have rights and welfare that they can avail on paper, in reality, they continue to struggle to access basic rights like education, employment, and healthcare. As a result, transgender community’s issues remain marginalized and transgender rights are being constantly pushed under the carpet by politicians. Leaders of the community have expressed that:
while “a policy is welcome, it is of no use if no budget is allocated” for it to be functional.
What can you do?
Karnataka State elections are around the corner. Prior to the elections, members of the transgender community will be visiting different political parties and setting forth the following demands for their inclusion in the political parties public statements:
Adequate fund allocation for the successful implementation of the policy.
The creation a functioning Cell of Transgender Persons as outlined in the 2017 Policy which includes:
issuing ID cards for transgender persons within 30 days.
providing an outline of how government departments will be sensitized on the struggles and realities faced by transgender persons.
Implement 1% reservation in all-levels of education and employment.
Representation of the transgender community in Karnataka’s Transgender Welfare Board.
Creation of a separate Transgender Persons’ Welfare department. Currently, all issues concerning the transgender community are under the Women and Child Department.
Creation of shelter homes for transgender people.
*Multiple and ongoing conversations with the partners have fed onto this campaign and have made it what it is. A special thank you to each and every person who joined us at multiple stages. #transrights #equalityforall