Kochi: In what is claimed to be the first in the country among higher education institutions, Kottayam-based Mahatma Gandhi University has designated a hostel exclusively for transgender students. Officials said that a staff quarters was repurposed as a temporary hostel while a decision has been made to construct a permanent hostel for transgender students, the construction of which will begin in the coming weeks. While three students are using the current setup, the university expects more than 25 students from various affiliated colleges to benefit from the permanent facility.
The university’s decision came in response to appeals from students and faculty members of the gender studies department. Transgender students had expressed concerns about the discrimination they encountered while residing in conventional boys’ and girls’ hostels.
“The university has the responsibility to ensure that the environment provided for the transgender students is suitable for learning and that they do not face any kind of discrimination. We specified the discrimination faced within the campus and demanded immediate action from the university,” said Anu Sunny, a second-year gender studies student at the university.
Sunny also said that although some universities offer non-segregated accommodation for all genders, it fails to address the specific challenges faced by transgender students.
“It is difficult for the students to find their accommodation outside the university as it is expensive. There is also a stigma associated with it from the public that disrupts their learning, which is why it is important for the universities to ensure dedicated hostels for transgender students,” said Heidi Saadiya, another gender studies student who advocated for the facility.
“For transgender individuals, securing human rights is as essential as breathing. While this is a common struggle for us, we are grateful for the opportunity to address and remedy the inequalities in our environment and to create a space in the educational world for future queer individuals,” said Heidi and Anu in a joint statement on social media.
Vice-chancellor C T Aravindakumar said the move shows the university’s commitment to inclusivity. “We were the first to provide reserved seats for transgender students, and I think we will also be the first to provide dedicated hostels for transgender students,” said Aravindakumar.
Courtesy : TOI
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