Topic: Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
4) Discuss the problems faced by transgender persons in India. How far do you think the Transgender Persons bill, 2016 will address those issues. Comment.(250 words)
Why this question
Transgender persons are one of the most neglected and marginalised section of Indian society, facing neglect from the family as well as the government. It is therefore important to discuss about the problems faced by the community and also look into the the Transgender Bill, 2016 and bring out to what extent it will solve their issues.
Directive word
Discuss- this is an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the key demand of the question. we also have to discuss about the related and important aspects of the question in order to bring out a complete picture of the issue in hand.
Comment- here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to write in detail about the problems faced by transgenders in India. It also wants us to look into the Transgender Persons bill and express our opinion as to what extent the bill will resolve the issues faced by the community.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- write a few introductory lines about the Transgender persons in India- their population etc. e.g According to the 2011 Census, the number of persons who do not identify as ‘male’ or ‘female’ but as ‘other’ stands at 4,87,803 (0.04% of the total population).
Body-
- Discuss in points the problems faced by them. E.g The transgender communities are discriminated at all levels; rejected by society as well as the family; Apart from begging, the entire community is forced into sex work. The one reason for being forced into sex work is because unavailability of livelihood resources; constant denial of housing in housing societies and other areas leading them to being housed in slums; susceptibility to various sexual diseases, violence and discrimination; negligible political participation etc.
- Discuss the pros and limitations of the Transgender Persons bill. E.g it provides a modified definition of transgender persons in line with international norms; mandatory for any organisation employing transgender persons to designate an official to examine complaints of discrimination and other grievances; comprehensive definition of discrimination; The Bill prohibits discrimination against a transgender person in areas such as education, employment, and healthcare. It directs the central and state governments to provide welfare schemes in these areas etc; cons- section 377, which has been put down by the SC however; issues of reservation in jobs and politics have not been resolved by the bill etc.
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
