Mental struggles faced by trans women in India: Study findings Mental struggles faced by trans women in India: Study findings Content Editor: Dr. Manu December 5, 2024 Social Trends Mental Health, LGBTQIA+ issues, Transwomen rights 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 - 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) . 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. 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. 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.

Regulatory update: FSSAI bans '100% Fruit Juice' claims on reconstituted juices Regulatory update: FSSAI bans '100% Fruit Juice' claims on reconstituted juices Content Editor: Dr. Sumana June 12, 2024 Press Information Bureau Food Safety, Food Adulteration, Food standards FSSAI mandates all Food Business Operators (FBOs ) to immediately remove ‘100% fruit juices’ claims from labels and ads of reconstituted fruit juices. FBOs were instructed to use all pre-printed packaging effectively by September 1, 2024. FSSAI found inaccurate marketing of reconstituted juices as ‘100% fruit juices,’ which is misleading since these contain mainly water. The Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018, prohibit ‘100%’ claims. FBOs must comply with sub-regulation 2.3.6 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards & Food Additives) Regulation, 2011, and a compulsory mention of “reconstituted” on labels . Products with added sweeteners over 15 g/kg must be labeled ‘Sweetened juice.’ The FSSAI is committed to safeguarding public health by overseeing and enforcing food safety standards nationwide. Click here to read more.

11 critical interventions for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups 11 critical interventions for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Content Editor: Dr Urmimala Maiti December 6, 2023 Press Information Bureau Tribal Health, Intersectoral Co-ordination, PM JANMAN The Union Cabinet, under the Development Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) has approved The Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN). India has Scheduled Tribe population of 10.45 crore as per the 2011 census, out of which 75 communities located in 18 States and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been categorized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Targeting the PVTG, the mission aims at improving their socioeconomic conditions using 11 interventions with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water, and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities. An overall budget of ₹24104 crore is allocated for the mission, with specific cost norms for each activity.