Visakhapatnam: A study conducted by Polimetla Amitha, an Andhra University researcher, on about 270 transgenders from various districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh districts has found social exclusion and discrimination being faced by them.
The socio-economic demographic profile points to the fact of their educational backwardness.
According to Amitha, this could be attributed to high levels of stigma that they face in educational institutions and consequent dropping out or their running away from home at an early age.
Of the 268 respondents participated in the study, only 16 people (6%) hold a formal/informal job. The rest are into begging, sex work, and badhai (transgender persons are invited for birth, wedding, and housewarming ceremonies to bless).
Speaking to TOI, P Amitha said that about 65% of the study respondents left home due to physical harassment, 62% due to verbal abuse, and 22% percent to change themselves as transgender persons by having surgery. “The primary reasons for their running away from family were physical harassment and verbal abuse. The majority of the respondents have undergone gender reassignment/realignment surgery to change their sex characteristics, which cost them anywhere between Rs 1 lakh to 5 lakh,” said Amitha.
“Transgender persons are one of the most discriminated and stigmatised groups. They are also victims of transphobia—a general dislike and aversion of the public towards transgender persons. Of the 268 respondents, 234 (87.3%) said that they experience discrimination from society on a regular basis. Because of social discrimination, they desire for a more inclusive society where they are accepted as human beings. They expect them to consider as humans, acceptance in family, employment, recognise the gender, and provide them with an equal opportunity,” said Amitha.
Andhra University has awarded a PhD degree to Amitha for her four-year-long study on the profile and problems of transgender persons in coastal Andhra Pradesh. Director, School of Distance Education, Andhra University Prof K Visweswara Rao, was the research director for the study,
Prof Visweswara Rao said that the study covered all the 9 combined coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh. “The study also unfolded their daily activities, practices and realities, especially their work, worship, relationships, belief system, education, culture, dress code, language, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, etc. The study threw light on responding, answering, tracing out the solutions, remedies to rejuvenate and revitalise the lives of marginalised transgender persons,” said Prof Rao.
“Sensitisation and awareness programmes need to be conducted to eradicate the discrimination against transgenders at all levels. Maximum support should be provided by the government to empower the transgender community and bring them back to mainstream society. This concept should be included in the school curriculum itself. The transgenders should be provided with skill training and employment opportunities. We on behalf of ‘Nee Thodu’ NGO are helping the transgenders get their identity cards, ration cards, pension, voter IDs, Aadhaar cards, etc. A separate district-wise study will be conducted soon to understand the large-scale picture and conditions of transgenders,” added Amitha.
Courtesy : TOI
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