Call to ensure rights of transgender people

RAJSHAHI: Speakers at an advocacy meeting here unanimously underlined the need for ensuring fundamental rights especially health, social and legal of the transgender people for uplifting their living and livelihood condition, reports BSS.

They said the society, as a whole, should come forward with a positive attitude toward the extreme socially excluded people for their coexistence in society with decent livelihoods.

Diner Alo Hijra Sangathan (DAHS), a rights-based organisation, organized the discussion in the conference hall of deputy commissioner (DC) here on Wednesday.

DC SM Abdul Kader addressed the discussion as chief guest with DAHSPresident Mohona in the chair.

Deputy Director of Department of Social Services Rashedul Kabir, District Women Affairs Officer Shobnom Mustari, editor of Daily Sonar Desh Akbarul Islam Millat and executive director of Asokta Punarbashon Sangstha Abul Bashar also spoke.

More than 40 representatives of community-based organisations from Bogra, Natore, Pabna and host Rajshahi districts joined the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, Mohona pointed out that the members of the community are always subjected to negligence and repression in every sphere of life including family and society.

She said the Hijra community is essentially deprived of several rights under the country's existing law, because it recognises only two sexes, male and female.

Being rejected by families, many grew up hating their bodies, and fall victim to depression, drug addiction, violence and suicide, she added.

Abdul Kader said the present government is very much positive towards solving the problems of the Hijra community.

He urged the people to change their attitude toward the transgender people and demanded quota for them in education and job sectors. He said general people have a very narrow mindset regarding genderless people and they should change their mentality.

The existing jarring situation could be addressed after creating mass awareness through objective media reporting on the issue, he added.

Call to ensure rights of transgender people

RAJSHAHI: Speakers at an advocacy meeting here unanimously underlined the need for ensuring fundamental rights especially health, social and legal of the transgender people for uplifting their living and livelihood condition, reports BSS. They said the society, as a whole, should come forward with a positive attitude toward the extreme socially excluded people for their coexistence in society with decent livelihoods. Diner Alo Hijra Sangathan (DAHS), a rights-based organisation, organized the discussion in the conference hall of deputy commissioner (DC) here on Wednesday. DC SM Abdul Kader addressed the discussion as chief guest with DAHSPresident Mohona in the chair. Deputy Director of Department of Social Services Rashedul Kabir, District Women Affairs Officer Shobnom Mustari, editor of Daily Sonar Desh Akbarul Islam Millat and executive director of Asokta Punarbashon Sangstha Abul Bashar also spoke. More than 40 representatives of community-based organisations from Bogra, Natore, Pabna and host Rajshahi districts joined the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, Mohona pointed out that the members of the community are always subjected to negligence and repression in every sphere of life including family and society. She said the Hijra community is essentially deprived of several rights under the countrys existing law, because it recognises only two sexes, male and female. Being rejected by families, many grew up hating their bodies, and fall victim to depression, drug addiction, violence and suicide, she added. Abdul Kader said the present government is very much positive towards solving the problems of the Hijra community. He urged the people to change their attitude toward the transgender people and demanded quota for them in education and job sectors. He said general people have a very narrow mindset regarding genderless people and they should change their mentality. The existing jarring situation could be addressed after creating mass awareness through objective media reporting on the issue, he added.