Open defecation free, a progressive and positive sex ratio, high human development index in terms of literacy rate, life expectancy and standards of living- all of these have defined Kerala’s progress over the years. The state has at all times grabbed the headlines of national dailies, its model of development gaining special attention, since the 1970s particularly. It is clearly reflective of the fact that despite having lower per capita income, the state has achieved living standards parallel to that of any other developed nation. This narrow strip of land in South West India is a popular destination for many foreigners and is known as God’s own country.
Recently, Kerala became the first state in India to frame and implement a policy for the welfare of transgenders.
It is truly strange, that while being assertive and manly is appealing when it comes to women, the reverse case of a man being effeminate is always looked down upon. Being a man or woman is not determined by a person’s sex. Considering the fact, Kerala is now a model for all other states in India, with respect to the lives of the transgender community, who are visualized as aliens by the society.
The welfare policy for transgenders implemented by the social justice department of the state government was breathtaking and anticipation for many. The 2014 verdict of the Supreme Court maneuvered the state government of Kerala to implement a policy for transgenders in 2015. This policy firmly established their fundamental rights and provided a ray of hope for a population of over 25,000 individuals. In documents, only the nomenclature ‘transgender’ should be used rather than ‘others’. The policy spurred many organizations as well as individuals of the state and hence, its implementation has yielded several positive outcomes, with the ultimate aim of integrating transgenders to mainstream life.
Several initiatives bequeath the vision of equal opportunity, which these policies seek to implement for transgenders. These famously include- Kochi Metro employing transgender train drivers, UST Global-an MNC in Thiruvananthapuram employing trans women, initiatives such as The ‘Gender Park’ in Calicut and ‘Gender Taxi’ owned and operated by transgenders, a beauty pageant for trans-women organized by Dhwayah arts and cultural society and Sahaj International Residential School for transgender students.
In 2016, the state enabled cost-free sex reassignment surgery in government hospitals, alongside allocation of a part of the budget for skill training programmes and employment of transgenders. A workshop was conducted in 2017 in Calicut to address the implementation of welfare policy in social institutions. Identity documents, pension for those above 60, skill development training programmes, scholarships, educational loans, driving classes for trans were the issues put forth in the workshop. Recently, the government medical college in Kottayam opened a clinic exclusively for transgender with specialized doctors. All these measures have reduced the risk factor of poverty, isolation and confinement of transgender as sex workers for employment.
Though the state has taken a giant leap in addressing the concerns of the transgender community, without societal support, policies succumb to function properly. The welfare policy has been enthralling but not complete. It seems to be trans-friendly but the stigma and discrimination against the community persist. As a conservative state, the people of the state have not fully accepted the inclusivity of transgenders in the society. The trans couple who is set to get married this year reveals their daily ordeal of abuses from unknown people. They are being hunted at all points of time and have now settled in Bangalore, the anonymity the city provides a relief for them. Most of the employees of Kochi metro have given up their jobs as they are being denied accommodations for rent.
Challenges remain. But the situation has improved to a great extent when compared to the lives of transgenders outside Kerala. Their voices are being heard and can no longer be suppressed. Legal sanctions could protect them physically but no law could guarantee to protect a transgender’s state of mind. It’s all up to society. It’s high time that sex education became a part of school curricula with due light being thrown on the existence of multiple gender identities and notions in society.
Author-Emilin Thomas
