The third-gender population is a significant community in the country. The overall development is not possible without this population. For this reason, experts have urged those concerned at the government and private levels to take appropriate initiatives to bring them into the mainstream of society.
At the same time, the speakers said, that only the cooperation of all the society can bring the backward third-gender community into the mainstream and turn them into human resources.
Working on the rights of the third-gender community Ashar Alo Society and Durjoy Nari Sangh jointly organized a round table meeting yesterday. The round table meeting titled 'Transgender Visibility, Representation, and Empowerment' was held at the head office of the National Human Rights Commission.
Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, said, I do not agree with the fact that third-gender people are backward. We pushed them back. For that, we have to fulfill our responsibility properly. We have written to Dhaka University VC to keep the quota. A lot can be said about positive content. Action should be taken if something negative is done to third-gender and Transgenders. Better to have that in law.
Dr. Saima Khan, Country Director of UNAIDS, said that when third-gender people are arrested for any reason, they are kept in men's cells. It's horrible, that's why we need to be aware of gender identity.
Jannat Husna, country coordinator of SOSA, said that the issue of DU, North South University shows how many problems third-gender and transgenders are in. That is why we have to work on conceptual issues along with policy and law changes.
UNFPA representative Dr. Roksana said that many doctors do not know what treatment to give to third-gender and transgenders. Those doctors should be trained. Besides, gender discrimination should be eliminated.
Mainul Islam, the executive editor of Dainik Aam Bhiran, said that society's attitude towards the third gender should be changed. We have to fulfill our responsibility to bring them mainstream including employment. They should be portrayed in the media in such a way that the attitude of the society changes.
Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiran of Debate for Democracy said that the debate over the use of the words transgender and third-gender needs to end. The Islamic Foundation should make a clear declaration to ensure that they receive the wealth of their parents, just like other brothers and sisters.
Transgender presenter Anindita said in the keynote presentation that the government has taken various steps including legal recognition. Apart from this, private institutions have also started working. But that is not enough to meet the challenge. For this, everyone in the society should come forward.
In his welcome address, Deputy Chief Executive of Ashar Alo Society KSM Tariq said that the government does a lot for third-gender and transgenders. But they don't know, that's why they face various problems.
In the closing speech, the executive head of the Ashar Alo Society Abdur Rahman thanked all those present for their spontaneous participation.
Chairman of National Human Rights Commission Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, senior officials of various United Nations organizations, media and senior officials, and representatives of various development aid organizations were present in the round table meeting moderated by PLHIV Network General Secretary Hafiz Uddin Munna.
ARS
