Union Cabinet approved Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016

The cabinet has approved the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2016 for social, economic and educational empowerment of transgenders.

Details:

• The bill will benefit a large number of transgender persons, mitigate the stigma, discrimination and abuse against this marginalized section and bring them into the mainstream of society.
• It will lead to greater inclusiveness and will make the transgender persons productive members of the society.
• The bill will make all the stakeholders responsive and accountable for upholding the principles underlying the bill.
• It will bring greater accountability on the part of the central government and state governments/Union Territories administrations for issues concerning transgender persons.

Background:

The transgender community is one of the most marginalized in the country because they don’t fit into existing gender categories. Consequently, they face problems ranging from social exclusion to discrimination, lack of education facilities, unemployment, and lack of medical facilities.