Ernakulam district panchayat to train transgender persons in cosmetology

In an effort to make panchayats more inclusive and responsive to the needs of the transgender community, the Ernakulam district panchayat will implement projects to promote their welfare, dignity, and empowerment.

The initiatives focus on ensuring equitable access to basic needs such as employment and healthcare support, thereby creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the community.

Discussions have already been held with members of the community. “One of their major concerns is finding a safe and secure workplace. The stigma they face from society, including in workplaces, needs to be addressed. We must ensure their holistic well-being so that they can lead a more dignified life,” said district panchayat president K.G. Radhakrishnan.

As a pilot initiative, focus will be given to training individuals interested in starting their own entrepreneurial ventures. “A large section of the community have expressed interest in cosmetology. Training in cosmetology will be provided free of cost, while a subsidy will be provided to set up business ventures. Some are interested in setting up cafes. We will look at individual interests and formulate a programme,” he said.

In the healthcare sector, the panchayat will go ahead with the ‘Marivillu’ programme, but starting this year, medicines will be offered through transgender clinics. Post-operative and hormonal medicines will be provided free of cost.

The civic body is also planning to bring the members of the community under one umbrella. A challenge faced by the community is that a significant percentage of the them are living without disclosing their identities. “They are a highly scattered group. Most of them have arrived from different districts and have settled in Ernakulam. We can only include those residents belonging to our panchayats under our welfare schemes. We are considering how to address this,” he added.