Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday announced the formation of the Transgender Welfare and Empowerment Board to address the grievances of the community. The Board will help the transgender community receive their rightful entitlements in education, healthcare, employment, and safety, Gupta said in a statement.
Stating that the Board will work on policymaking and recommending welfare schemes, the chief minister added that it will also coordinate with various departments to solve issues regarding the transgender community. This development will also ensure the timely issuance of identity certificates and ID cards.Now, transgenders will be able to self-declare their gender identity and obtain identity documents from the District Magistrate, the statement said.
The chief minister further emphasised that this is not just a legal formality but a reflection of the government's deep commitment to providing dignity, rights, and opportunities to the transgender community.The Delhi government is planning new initiatives to ensure a dignified life for the transgender community, including construction of dedicated third-gender toilets in government buildings, hospital wards and gender-specific health services in government hospitals, she said.
A transparent online process for issuing ID cards, sensitisation and awareness campaigns in educational institutions and workplaces, temporary shelters, employment training and social security schemes tailored to the community, are also being planned by the government.Reaffirming her government's commitment to developing a Delhi that stands for equality, respect, and inclusion, Gupta said this decision reaffirms the values of equality and justice in the Indian Constitution.
She also called the development 'revolutionary' as it will bring the transgender community into the mainstream. In Delhi, transgender individuals face significant challenges including discrimination, lack of access to resources, and political marginalization, despite the existence of some government initiatives and NGO support. Estimates suggest the transgender population in Delhi is much higher than official figures, and many lack proper identification, hindering their access to basic rights and services.
They face lot of challenges like discrimination and social exclusion and lack of acceptance in various aspects of life , many lack access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities, leading to high rates of poverty and unemployment, barriers to Electoral Participation, besides systemic barriers, such as lack of awareness and identification documents, hinder full participation in the electoral process. Transgender individuals face an increased risk of violence, harassment, and hate crimes.
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