In a first of its kind measure to combat the homelessness faced by trans children (as a result of ostracization, bullying, or abuse) Bengaluru is set to receive two separate government-run housing facilities reserved for transgender children (one for those who identify as male and the other for those who identify as female) according to the minutes of the supplementary Project Approval Board (PAB) under Child Protection Services. This initiative is the brainchild of Indian Administrative Service officer Pallavi Akurathi, Director, Directorate of Child Protection. The project has been approved by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
According to the Hindu article dated on 3rd December 2020, she said
“My field level staff informed me that in many instances when transgender children who need care and protection are produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), they are not able to place these children in the existing children’s homes for boys and girls. CWCs avoid placing these children in the existing children’s homes. I spoke to several people from the transgender community who spoke about the violence and abuse, they faced as transgenders and decided that it is best that a separate home is established exclusively for such a vulnerable section of children”
Getting approval from the Central Government was a challenging task with the proposal being first rejected in May 2020 and being resubmitted in the supplementary PAB held in October 2020. This initiative does more than just provide shelter - it ensures that the most vulnerable members of the community have a haven free from prejudices, violence, and bullying. . Antony Sebastian, Chairperson, Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, supports the cause of establishing a separate home for transgender children to curb abuse and provide the attention these children have so far been denied. The trans youths migrating to urban areas in hopes of a free life are adopted into Gharanas, systems of kinship through which an elder transgender - the guru - will shelter a younger member of the community - or chela. These systems are often exploitative, with the gurus often forcing their chelas into sex work, begging, and denying them opportunities to gain employment and education from mainstream sources. The establishment of this government-run home would also mitigate issues such as this by partnering with organisations working for transgender rights and welfare says Ms. Akurathi.
"We can monitor the education of children until they are 18. This will help more transgender children get an education”
The involvement of organisations dedicated to the upliftment of the trans community, particularly those run by transgenders themselves, might also provide guardianship to the trans children since they would understand the multitudes of issues faced by said children - related to society, mental and physical well being, as well as education and employment. . The children would thus grow up to be self-reliant and skilled enough to get job opportunities and avail government assistance schemes. Additionally, residents will be provided with an initial allowance when exiting the housing system, to establish their lives independently.
We at Pehchaan commend this initiative and hope for other NGOs and government facilities to take cognizance of the needs of trans children across the country.
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