India’s Government approves law to protect and empower transgender people
The Indian Government has approved a bill to protect the rights of transgender people.
The Transgender Person (Protection of Rights) Bill 2016 was approved by the Union Cabinet, and which aims to protect the social, economic and educational right of trans people. The bill was passed under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
It should benefit a large number of trans people in India, and was passed partly as part of an effort to destigmatise being trans.
Trans people are still regularly abused and marginalised in India. They also face social exclusion, discrimination, and lack of access to educational facilities.
The bill gives responsibility to the Central Government as well as local authorities, to protect transgender people against abuse and discrimination.
Stricter punishments of up to two years in prison for committing violence or publicly humiliating trans people will be brought into play by the new law. The law specifies violence as any attack, as well as forcing trans people to leave their village or home, forcibly removing their clothes, parading them naked, or inciting them to beg.
All ministries have been given a Cabinet note from the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry. A new National Council of Transgender people is also proposed by the new legislation.
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6 Comments
Mandy
July 25, 06:09Wow. India too? And for transgenders? I thought India was like one of the most homophobic nations in Asia. To such a bill is monumental. It’s much harder to come around to the rights of trans people than to the rights of the LGB part of the minority community. So for a government to get to the point where they’re protecting trans rights, it speaks really good for the entire minority community.
Dennis Macaulay
July 25, 06:20The hallmark of a democracy is not just in the rule of its majority, but in the protection of its minority…..
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 2014
Francis
July 25, 07:14See embarrassment. This Nigeria sha ???
ambivalentone
July 25, 07:20And I am reminded again, “Dude, u ain’t ever drank a Pepsi long throat”
bain
July 25, 09:15(Long comment short) ,I’m ashamed to be called a Nigerian,the backward nature of our people in power is disheartning.goodluck india.
Delle
July 25, 09:44Finally! After a long week of negativity, this fresh air is highly needed.
Hearty felicitations, India as you make your way into the list of progressive nations.
On an entirely different note however, What in the name of Pink Love and Happy Sex is that on that guy’s face @theme picture?! HOE-RIM-BLE!