GUWAHATI: The Government of Assam has approved the Social Welfare Department's much needed policy for the transgender community of the state on 12th February 2020.
As stated, "The transgender policy aims to ameliorate the suffering of transgender persons in multiple dimensions of life".
The policy makes allowance for self-certification of one’s gender
identity, through an affidavit, for the purposes of registration as a Transgender and for issue of an identity card. Under this policy, they will have access to welfare schemes like housing, education, health services, employment, livelihood and sustenance alopng with other emergency services.
Shelters are to be opened up for the community and non-formal basic education programs are to be provided in informal settings. Steps will also be taken to enhance mainstreaming of transgender children in the
regular stream of school. Besides regular or customized health screening, free medical treatment and free medicine
will be made available for transgender persons in government health facilities.
Employment exchanges will register transgenders without any discrimination and vocational training will be provided to transgenders free of cost, based on their field of interest,through existing government schemes.Further,emergency centres will be established for providing emergency relief and services.
Support units are to be set up at the district and state level for the welfare of the Transgenders under the Director of Social Welfare.
A Transgender Welfare Board is to be constituted.
