Bengaluru: The State Cabinet has approved the Policy for Transgenders-2017 to provide social security, reservation, free healthcare and bring them into the mainstream of society in pursuance of the directions of the Supreme Court in 2014.
Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting held here on Thursday, Law and Parliamentary and Minor Irrigation Minister T B Jayachandra said the policy would cover the areas of health,education, employment, housing, protection from harassment and abuse. The policy intends to provide a mechanism for self-identifcation of gender (as man, woman or transgender), empower transgenders to enjoy their constitutional rights and freedom especially the right to not be discriminated based on gender, access to public spaces and resources and freedom of expression.
He said directions would be issued to all government departments and public authorities to ensure non-discriminatory treatment to transgenders in legal aspects and provide barrier free access to public transport, parks and other public places. Efforts would be made to include transgenders in society with proper social, legal and institutional protection, educational and health facilities (including anganwadi and schools), basic amenities such as water supply, sanitation, housing and employment. Parents, teachers, students, doctors and police would be sensitised to treat them with dignity and self-respect.
Establishment of a transgender unit in the directorate of woman and child development department had been incorporated in the draft transgender policy. Providing vocational training to transgenders through vocational training institutions based on their need and interests and reservation of five seats to transgenders in IIT and polytechnic courses would be ensured.
