• An exploratory quantitative study published in Wellcome Open Research journal, conducted by the George Institute of Global Health in Kolkata in collaboration with Kolkata Rista, an NGO, looked into the struggles faced by transgender women and the ways they face stigma amongst themselves and society. 

• The following were the results -

1. Transgender women face stigma from various sources in their day-to-day life: Internal stigma, which is self-directed; stigma from cis-gendered persons (Interpersonal stigma); and discrimination faced at the institutional level, such as at hospitals or by law enforcement (Structural stigma).

2. They face a lot of rejection from their families about their orientation. While some would find solace in hijra gharanas, the hierarchical relationships there also affect the mental health of younger chelas due to the elderly gurus.

3. Stigma at schools would leave them unable to complete their education often, thus forcing them to look for work by begging or sex work. This also leads to poor treatment by law enforcement and hospital medical staff. The lack of education would hamper employment and further advancement.

4. The researchers raised the importance of a greater focus on implementing laws already in place while inculcating sex education and sensitization in schools.

• Further, they advocated for increased representation of trans individuals at the policy-making and decision levels.

Click here to read more.