What Will the NHRC Conference Discuss Regarding Transgender Rights on Sep 4?

New Delhi, Sep 2 (NationPress) The focus of the upcoming conference organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on September 4 will be on strategies to combat systemic discrimination and foster the inclusion of transgender individuals, as announced by an official on Tuesday.

Titled ‘Revamping Spaces, Reclaiming Voices’, this national conference is set to take place in New Delhi.

Justice V. Ramasubramanian, Chairperson of the NHRC, will spearhead discussions regarding the challenges, opportunities, and policy priorities essential for safeguarding the rights of transgender persons in India.

Attendees will include government officials, legal and judicial experts, policymakers, representatives from civil society organizations, community leaders, academics, law enforcement personnel, and media members.

The objective of the conference is to establish a national dialogue platform focusing on the rights and welfare of transgender individuals, assess the execution of legal frameworks and welfare schemes like the Transgender Persons Act, 2019, and the SMILE scheme.

Participants will put forward actionable policy reforms aimed at enhancing institutional care, mitigating stigma, and improving access to education, healthcare, and employment.

This conference also strives to promote greater accountability and awareness within law enforcement agencies, while honoring the voices and resilience of transgender persons and recognizing their contributions to India's social landscape.

As an integral part of India's cultural and social heritage, the journey of transgender persons has evolved from invisibility to recognition and now towards genuine inclusion, according to a statement.

Once revered in epics, traditions, and community practices, their dignity and social status have diminished over time, resulting in the community's ongoing struggle for acceptance and equality.

In the years following Independence, transgender persons have experienced neglect and marginalization, despite constitutional guarantees of equality, dignity, and non-discrimination. However, the community's resilience, bolstered by civil society and judicial support, has started to shift this narrative.

The Supreme Court’s groundbreaking ruling in NALSA vs. Union of India (2014) was a pivotal moment, confirming self-identification as a fundamental right and acknowledging transgender persons as the “third gender.”

This recognition was further solidified by the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, which prohibits discrimination and establishes a framework for welfare and inclusion.

In 2023, the NHRC advanced this journey by releasing a detailed Advisory on the Welfare of Transgender Persons, urging governments to guarantee equal access to education, healthcare, employment, and social protection.

Each of these milestones signifies a steady progression from marginalization to dignity, from silence to voice, and from exclusion to belonging. The conference aims to build on this positive momentum, striving to create new avenues for inclusion so that every transgender person can live with respect, opportunity, and pride.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment initiated the Garima Greh program as a pilot project, establishing 12 shelters across nine states/UTs to provide safe housing and comprehensive support for destitute adult transgender persons.

Now part of the Central Sector Scheme SMILE, this initiative offers temporary rehabilitation for up to one year, including safe shelter, essential amenities, healthcare, counseling, skill development, and livelihood opportunities, thereby assisting beneficiaries in reintegrating into society with dignity and independence.