Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 150
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 151
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Marginalized communities cry for dignity by Himanshi Dhawan

Marginalized communities cry for dignity by Himanshi Dhawan

Share this article Share this article
published Published on Nov 21, 2010   modified Modified on Nov 21, 2010

India may well be on its way to becoming a superpower, but for millions of marginalized communities — transgenders, female sex workers, men having sex with men (MSM), intravenous drug users (IDUs) — the struggle to live a life with dignity and respect continues. These communities face an uphill battle for a government recognised identity card cutting access to nearly all welfare schemes. Representatives from 20 NGOs and community based organisations (CBOs) met Planning Commission members and officials demanding inclusion in the government's policy planning and budget. 

CFAR's Akhila Sivadas, one of the NGO partners, said, "These communities do not want segregation, or quotas but a consideration in the mainstream. Most of their demands relate to health, education and welfare schemes, many of which are being run by government but in a piecemeal manner. There is a need for greater awareness and interaction with the community to ensure institutional support for these communities." 

The lack of information and segregation from mainstream populations have led to poor access to social programmes. Despite certain welfare schemes introduced by the government, coverage is still sparse and ineffective. According to data available with NGOs, in four states — Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh — only 725 people could access widow pension and 4,567 have been able to open bank accounts. A paltry 34,678 have ration cards and 30,839 have been able to get voter cards. 

Tamil Nadu AIDS Initiative project director R Lakshmibai pointed out that there are nearly 50,000 sex workers only in TN. The state government has established a welfare board, but a comprehensive policy for inclusion is needed. "The government needs to define a nomenclature for transgenders and sex workers and plan health and welfare schemes taking in to account our specific needs," she said. While sex workers complained that their children were unable to attend mainstream schools or live in hostels, transgender community demanded access to micro-finance, low cost housing scheme and self-help groups. Andhra's Srinivas Reddy, who is working with MSM community, claimed he holds a PG degree in sociology. "Many MSMs are engineers, doctors, double post-graduates, but they can't get jobs because of the stigma attached to their sexual orientation," he said. 

IDUs have demanded they want a comprehensive rehabilitation scheme, and opportunities to continue education and employment. The communities have also demanded that officials, professionals and students be sensitised about alternative sexuality for long-term behavioural change.


The Times of India, 22 November, 2010, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Marginalized-communities-cry-for-dignity/articleshow/6966957.cms


Related Articles

 

Write Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Video Archives

Archives

share on Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Feedback
Read Later

Contact Form

Please enter security code
      Close