subject: Ignou Opens Distance Education For Transgender Communities In India [print this page] Himadri Roy, Associate professor of IGNOU told that, IGNOU is the first university to begin distance learning for transgender community. The professor was speaking at Delhi for a conference organized by Pehchan, a community based organization that are trying to advance HIV prevention.
Aradhana Johri, additional secretary, NACO told that they determined to scale up the efforts to bring these communities up with HIV prevention program and its services. These communities really required to get proper education to make fit to go for jobs. Its also necessary to reduce the gap between normal community with them in terms of equal right for food, education, job, accommodation etc. Due to the different gender category, they are denied opportunities and hence unable to live well.
A member of transgender told that they are getting harassment from people while traveling in bus, in society etc. They also urge government to start considering things that beyond the HIV/AIDS activities. Most of them are though 12th pass, they are unable to get job due to their male names on the certificates. Moreover, its very difficult to change the gender on certificates. They are facing identity crisis even in Delhi. They resort to sex trade. Participants even told that there are no legal procedures for Sex Reassignment Surgery that prevents them from getting their identity cards made.
Therefore, these communities need a break from these and that is why Pehchan is trying to do Equal Right. This consultation program held at Delhi, brought together over 100 representatives of transgender and Hijra communities and stakeholders from the government and policy bodies.
The new door open by IGNOU may help these communities to kick-start their life become easy in future and hence they may get equal right with other normal communities in the society.
