Speakers on Tuesday emphasized the necessity of enacting an anti-discrimination law in Parliament to bring the transgender and hijra community into the mainstream of society.
They were speaking at the launching ceremony of the "Shomota/Equality" project implemented by Bandhu Social Welfare Society and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at a hotel in the capital on Tuesday.
The speakers also stressed the need for educational, employment, and cultural reforms to reduce gender discrimination and abuse faced by the transgender community.
The "Shomota/Equality" project aims to enhance the rights and quality of life for transgender and hijra individuals who have been marginalized by society. By working through this project, gender discrimination and abuse against them will be mitigated.
Organizers explained that over the next five years, the project will operate in eight divisions of the country. Its primary objective is to promote the socio-economic development and justice of the transgender and hijra communities.
The project aims to assist 8,700 individuals in improving their quality of life and provide information and support to 4,750 individuals and organizations.
Kathryn Stevens, the USAID Mission Director for Bangladesh, emphasized the importance of implementing the "Shomota/Equality" project in Bangladesh.
She stated: "This project will contribute to the socio-cultural development of the transgender and hijra community and help reduce gender discrimination and violence against them. Countries worldwide, including the United States, are working to protect and support these communities. Education, employment, and cultural reforms are essential to bring about positive change."
Jaya Sikder, an activist representing the transgender community, highlighted the discrimination faced by community members within their families and society, which leads to their isolation.
Jaya emphasized the lack of progress due to the absence of educational opportunities and the absence of dedicated shelters for transgender individuals in the country, hindering their advancement and safety.
The "Shomota/Equality" project by USAID aims to enhance the knowledge and expertise of the gender-diverse population (GDP) regarding their rights, legal infrastructure, and available services. The project will operate in eight divisional cities across Bangladesh.
Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and a macroeconomist and public policy analyst, stressed the need to pass an anti-discrimination law in Parliament and establish a separate commission to protect the rights of the transgender and hijra communities.
He also emphasized the importance of monitoring and evaluating the utilization of a separate budget allocated for this population.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid acknowledged the discrimination and marginalization faced by transgender and hijra individuals in various aspects of society, including public transportation and family settings.
He expressed personal commitment to support the community and requested the inclusion of the Muktagacha area of Mymensingh in the project to establish shelters and provide employment opportunities for transgender and hijra individuals.
The USAID-funded Shomota/Equality Project, implemented by the Bandhu Social Welfare Society, aims to advance the rights and improve the quality of life for the gender-diverse population (GDP) in Bangladesh over a five-year period.
The project operates in eight divisional cities, including Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Khulna, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Barisal.
This project addresses broader human rights issues faced by the GDP, focusing on enhancing their understanding, knowledge, and skills regarding their rights and increasing their access to services and justice through collaboration with government departments, civil society organizations (CSOs), and other relevant stakeholders, according to Shale Ahmed, executive director of Bandhu Social Welfare Society.
The project commenced in December 2022 and is set to conclude in November 2027. During this period, the project aims to enhance access to safe spaces and provide gender-diverse population (GDP)-sensitive services, including mental health support, gender-based violence (GBV) assistance, and legal aid.
Expanding employment opportunities for the employable GDP community is one of the pivotal goals of the Shomota/Equality Project.
Additionally, the project continues its steadfast efforts to advocate for policymakers and relevant stakeholders to adopt or revise legislation that promotes and safeguards the rights of the GDP.
