Awareness Programme on Rights and Privileges of Transgender Persons of Assam was held at the Assam Administrative Staff College
Guwahati, Rongili Barta– On 11th April 2023, an Awareness Programme on Rights and Privileges of Transgender Persons of Assam was held at the Assam Administrative Staff College in Guwahati. The programme was initiated by the Directorate of Social Justice & Empowerment in an effort to create an inclusive society for all, including transgender persons. The Constitution of India ensures equality, freedom, justice, and dignity for all individuals. However, it has been realized that transgender persons can lead a better quality of life if they have equal opportunities and effective access to different social development services. The awareness programme aimed to educate all stakeholders about the concept of transgender persons and gender non-conforming people. It focused on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019, Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules 2020, and the Assam State Policy for Transgender, 2020. The programme also shed light on the rights and privileges of the TG community, welfare schemes available for them, their mental health, and challenges faced by them in day-to-day life. The Inauguration Ceremony was graced by Sri Kishore Thakuria, ACS, Director, Social Justice & Empowerment, Assam, who gave the welcome speech, and Sri Mukesh Ch. Sahu, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Assam, who delivered the keynote speech. The programme was attended by various departments and stakeholders, including the Assam Skill Development Mission, District Social Welfare Officers, and All Divisional Programme Officers from Kamrup, Nagaon, Jorhat, Kokrajhar, Karbi Anglong, Sonitpur, and Cachar divisions in Assam. Women & Children Development, Uzan Bazar, Assam, Health & Family Welfare, Assam, Secondary Education, Assam, the DCP Traffic, Guwahati, the Inspector of Schools, the Commissioner of Police, Guwahati, the Head of the Department, School of Social Science, NERIM Group of Institutions, the Head of the Department, Department of Social Work, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati, the Head of the Department, Department of Social Work, University of the Science & Technlogy Meghalaya Ri-Bhoi, the Head of the Department, Department of Social Work, Mahapurush Srimanta Sankaradeva Viswavidyalaya, the Head of the Centre, Centre for Women’s Studies, Cotton University, and the Head of the Department, Women’s Studies Department, Guwahati University were also present. The programme consisted of multiple sessions, with each session covering a specific aspect of the transgender community. The first session, “Understanding the Transgender Community” was conducted by Priyamboda Mishra from State Child Protection Society, who is also a PhD Scholar doing research on transgender. The second session, “Legislative Documents: Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019”, “Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020” and “Assam State Policy for Transgender, 2020” was taken by Swati Bidhan Baruah, who is the Vice Chairperson of the Transgender Welfare Board, Assam. The third session was led by Rashmi Baruah Gogoi, ACS, Joint Director, Social Justice & Empowerment, Assam, on “National Portal For Transgender Certificate & Identity Card and other facilities under the SMILE Scheme, MOSJE, New Delhi.” The fourth session focused on the mental health and emotional well-being of transgender people, delivered by Maitryee T. Ralte, a clinical psychologist practicing psychotherapy. The final session was on challenges faced by transgender persons of Assam, led by Milin Dutta, the founder of Anaajoree, who is an engineering graduate from NIIT Surat and a trans-man who has been an advocate for queer rights in northeast India. The Awareness Programme on Rights and Privileges of Transgender Persons of Assam was a significant step towards creating an inclusive society for all individuals. It was a reminder that everyone deserves equal rights and opportunities, irrespective of their gender identity.