Socio-economic status of transgender community

The transgender community has been historically marginalized in Indian society. They have always faced inequality, disdain, social and economic exclusion. The tradition of giving blessing and getting donations is prevalent in marriage ceremonies, housewarming, birth, and other ceremonies of newlyweds and this forms the basis of their income. Economically, most of the members of the transgender community are poor. Their income is limited due to lack of education, lack of employment opportunities, and social exclusion. Some transgender members depend on begging, prostitution, and other informal work in trains and signals. Although, in the past years, some transgenders have entered government and non-government jobs and other professions, but the number is still very limited. In the field of education, transgender community is facing major challenges. Their access to education is minimal, and they often face inequality, untouchability, and physical abuse in schools and colleges. In NALSA vs Union of India 2014, the Supreme Court recognized transgenders as a third gender, giving a new identity to the transgender community. The way has been cleared for special rights and welfare schemes for the transgender community. Schemes and programs are being run for the welfare of the transgender community in various states, such as Garima Grah, Abhudaya Cell, Special Police Assistance Center, but their implementation has been slow and limited. India ranks eighth among the popular countries of the transgender community, while Spain ranks first, Sweden second, Argentina third and Canada fourth. The population of the transgender community in entire India is estimated to be 4.88 lakhs. About 28% of the transgender population lives in Uttar Pradesh alone. In other states, more than 66% of transgenders live in rural areas. Their literacy rate is less than 56 percent (Mal & Mundu, 2023).