Demand for adding a new chapter on transgenders in textbooks
The government has recently given recognition to them, Aminul Islam said
Transgender people, the most deprived group of people in the society, have demanded to add a chapter in textbooks about their lifestyle, and the way they get treated in the society.
This notion was shared by transgender people, and experts demanding to add a chapter on transgender people in textbooks at a meeting organized by Bandhu, and UNDP on “National Level Consultation with the National Stakeholders on Hijra Community” at Daily Star Bhaban yesterday.
Transgender people from different places attended the meeting and discussed the ways they are being treated in the society.
Popy Hijra, chairman of Shustha Jibon, a social welfare society said, “We face lots of obstacles in our lives. We are always insulted because of the way we look and behave. We can’t use sanitation at our workplace, and there is no quota for us in any of the educational institutions, which in turn makes us stop going to school and colleges for good.”
Rabbi Hijra from Sirajganj also president of Agragami Samajik Unnayan Sangstha, currently studying in BBA at Bangladesh Open University Sirajganj said, “Education is the backbone of a nation, but the way we are treated, most of us are much scared to step into an educational facility as we know that we will be bullied by other students.
In Sirajganj, there are more than 1100 transgenders, and most of them don’t get proper jobs as the society keeps on insulting the transgender. They said: “We do not get the facilities like all other normal people, and we want proper respect for all of us.”
Meanwhile, District Judge and Joint Secretary, Law Commission demanded to add new chapter on the lifestyle of transgender people in the textbook of schools so that people can know about transgender people, and can honour them instead of bullying or insulting them.
Constitutional rights must be exercised, only then can discrimination be reduced, said Ruhul Amin, District Judge, Secretary, Law Commission.
Aminul Islam, director, National Legal Aid Service said, there was no recognition of transgender people in our society but recently government gave them recognition.
When asked about some people complaining that transgender people do not know the norms of the society, Aminul replied saying that they are the most deprived people in the country. They don’t have proper education, but a little love and care from us can change the whole scenario.”
Picture: Participants at a meeting organized by Bandhu, and UNDP on ‘National Level Consultation with the National Stakeholders on Hijra Community’ at Daily Star Bhaban on Sunday, November 17, 2019
Source: The Daily Star