THIRD GENDER: LAST PRIORITY?

“About 92 percent of transgenders are deprived of the right to participate in any form of economic activity in the
country, with even qualified ones refused jobs” (NHRC Report cited in India Today Web Desk, 2020). “Just 6 percent
of transgender people are employed in private/ NGO sector” (John, 2017). “Kochi metro railway has employed 23
transgender persons, but 11 have dropped out…” (Devasia, 2017)- We have read several such statistics on the status
of the livelihood of transgenders.
There has been a steady change in the societal perception towards transgender persons. Alongside, the last decade
has also seen several efforts of legislation in this regard. Even the apex Court of the country has stepped in to interpret
equality and justice for the community through the NALSA judgment. This led to the introduction of legislations in the
Parliament to address historical wrongs and guarantee rights to members belonging to the transgender community.
Elaborating upon the sub-theme ‘Economic independence for gender equality’, this research paper examines the
changing scope and nature of the right to livelihood of persons belonging to the third gender. The aim of this paper is
to study the impact of empowerment of individuals belonging to the transgender community through policy measures.
The researcher has employed the Case Study research design. The paper will engage readers to dwell upon the usual
life experiences, strife, personal victories as well as tragedy faced by a few members belonging to the transgender
community.
In this paper, the researcher will be sharing real life stories of three transgender persons from her interaction with
them and as informed by a close relative. The shedding of regressive ideas by way of education has led to a positive
impact in general acceptance and entitlement of rights to transgenders. They have also been instrumental in
contributing to a healthy social fabric, economy, polity and civil society.