The hijra community in the country demanded to be properly recognised as the “third gender” in a press conference at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity’s Sagar-Runi Auditorium in the capital yesterday.
At the event, organised by Bondhu Social Welfare Society and UNAIDS, hijra leaders urged the government to ensure safety and basic rights for their community.
Ananna Banik, a representative of the community, said: “On November 10 last year, the government recognised us as the third gender. We are really grateful for the decision, but since then we have seen hardly any progress to implement that decision.
“So we urge the government to take the next step to really recognise us as the third gender.”
Joya Shikder, president at Sex Workers’ Network of Bangladesh, said: “The government has not place a gazette in parliament after deciding to recognise a third gender. The hijras in the country are still facing many problematic situations, and they are still deprived of basic rights.”
Bobi Hijra, executive director of Shustho Jibon, said: “We still do not get listed as a third gender in voter’s ID card or passport. We are still not entitled to our inheritance like our siblings under the rule of law. The sooner the government took action in this regard, the sooner it would get better for us.”
The speakers at the event also asked for quota system in academic and professional fields. The hijra activists also announced an upcoming event to raise awareness among people about the lifestyle, traditions and history of discrimination and oppression of the hijra community at the press conference.
Titled Hijra Pride 2014, the event, which aims to be the first colourful event to celebrate hijras, will take place on November 2 at the divisional level around the country, and on November 8-10 in the capital.