Why Transgenders are Considered as Vulnerable Sections?

The problems, faced by transgenders are discrimination, lack of educational facilities, unemployment, lack of shelter, lack of medical facilities like HIV care and hygiene, depression, hormone pill abuse, tobacco and alcohol abuse and problems relating to marriage, property, electoral rights, adoption.

• Transgenders have very limited employment opportunities as most jobs are confined to male and female sexes. Transgenders, being a third sex, cannot even apply for most of the jobs.
• Transgenders have no access to bathrooms/toilets and public spaces. The lack of access to bathrooms and public spaces access is illustrative of discrimination faced by transgenders in availing each facilities and amenities. They face similar problems in prisons, hospitals and schools.
• So far as criminal liability is concerned, transgenders cannot escape punishment when they are accused of committing crimes. The world “person” in the Indian Penal Code and General Clauses Act means all human beings. Persons who can be punished for committing offences include transgenders, though they are consciously deprived of their civil rights.

Transgenders are HIV Prone

Transgenders and hijras have been disproportionately affected by HIV since the onset of the epidemic, according to several findings.

• As per the HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS) conducted by Department of AIDS Control, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in 2011 prevalence in some areas has been as high as 18% in certain sites.
• In addition to this, there is social stigma associated with this community. Recognizing transgender population as a particularly vulnerable community, the Department of AIDS Control has set up interventions specific to their needs.
• However, this has been possible in 20 sites and the need to set up more such interventions for this unique community has been felt.
• The Department of AIDS Control has been working intensely on addressing issues of most at- risk populations like transgenders and hijras in India.