The effect of Climate Change has been terrible on the underprivileged transgender population, especially those living in slums, water bodies, and porampok lands. For the past 4 years, we, at Sahodari Foundation, have been researching the effects of climate change on the transgender community. We have continuously documented their stories on how climate change has affected them.
For the first time, we are holding a round table discussion with the affected transgender community persons tomorrow, 21.09.2024, at the Tsunami Quarters, Ernavoor, Chennai.
We are holding this event to document their testimonials and to seek the attention of the Government and stakeholders in caring for the affected transgender population by taking measures and actions that could prevent them from losing their livelihoods during natural disasters.
“Trans Rights,
Climate Justice!
Our Fight, Our Future!”
was the slogan at the Round Table on Climate Change and its challenges for marginalised transgender women. The One Day program, organized by Sahodari Foundation (www.sahodari.org), brought together the transgender community members from North Chennai.
We had a long and detailed discussion on how climate change—excessive heat, extraordinary rains, and floods—has affected our community’s health and livelihood. Additionally, we conducted an orientation session on the Transgender Rights Protection Act 2019 and the Equal Opportunities Policy for Transgender Persons, both introduced by the Government of India.
We plan to hold this community discussion and sensitization session in all southern states of India – Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Puducherry, and Telangana.
Despite the tremendous growth in communication and internet technologies, many vulnerable and marginalised transgender persons remain unaware of their rights and opportunities.. Organisations working for the transgender community should focus on sensitizing the vulnerable transgender people to their rights. It is important to make them understand the Transgender Protection Act 2019 and the Equal Opportunities Policy introduced by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The transgender community’s fight is not only about their human rights and economic safety, but also about their future – living in a world that guarantees good water, energy, good health, and safe housing.
For the past 17 years, Sahodari Foundation has actively worked to empower marginalised and poor transgender persons.
Our fight! Our Future! Trans Lives Matter! Here are the photographs from our September 2024 Event.
