The world’s first-ever help desk for the transgender community comes up at Gachibowli Police Station under Cyberabad Police Commissionerate in Telangana.
It was formally inaugurated by V.C. Sajjanar, IPS, Commissioner, Cyberabad Commissionerate at Gachibowli Police Station.
Speaking here Sajjanar described it as a historic day as the community suffered all through their life due to the discrimination. We get hurt for small things that happen occasionally. But the Transgender community has been suffering discrimination all through their life. The help desk is a small step towards a great journey. It will herald a huge difference.
The idea of the Transgender Help Desk came from the community itself in a meeting held ten days back. The entire credit for this must go to the community itself, he said. We police only are facilitating it, he added. Among other things it will work towards inclusiveness of the community, facilitating their journey towards a dignified life, he added.
In 2014, the Supreme Court recognized the transgender community as a third gender along with male and female and ruled that they have equal privilege over the fundamental rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
A journey of 1000 miles starts with one step, said Mr. Vidyasagar, Jt Collector, Medchal. The population of the transgender community before the 2011 census was 4.87 lakhs in India and 43000 in the combined Andhra Pradesh. Now the same number must have surpassed one lakh. This community suffers problems—discrimination and lowered status.
The ‘Transgender Community Desk’ will be managed by a Police Liaison Officer and a transgender person who is designated as Community Coordinator. The desk will be the focal point for all grievance redressal among the transgender community in Cyberabad Commissionerate.
The desk will provide support to file cases in offences related to violence or discrimination against any transgender person. Among other services, the desk will also provide counselling, legal aid, life-skills, soft skills training, job placements, and referral linkages to welfare schemes in partnership with the Department of Women & Child Welfare and District Legal Services Authority.
The Society for Cyberabad Security Council will organize monthly employability training and life-skill training and facilitate access to job opportunities. Prajwala will assist the desk to facilitate safe space for any transgender person who needs an emergency transit stay.
