Advocacy and investment to support safer and sustainable livelihoods for gender diverse communities and support HIV Prevention _ Financial and technical Support by UNAIDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shustha Jibon (SJ) started its journey in 2000 with a mission to address human rights issues of Transgender and Hijra for achieving a vision of a Bangladesh where every person, irrespective of their gender and sexuality, is able to lead a quality life with dignity, human rights and social justice. Sada Kalo (SK), is a Transgender (TG) Community-led organization which works mainly for the alternate livelihood support and also, to ensure a dignified life with human rights ensured for the gender diverse communities as well as other marginalized population groups.

A round table meeting on Safety and Security of Gender Diverse Populations, implemented by SHUSTHS JIBON with local support by SADAKALO was held at the Officer’s Cafe and Restaurant of Dhamrai Upazila.
The meeting was presided over by Parboti Ahmed, Chairperson, SHUSTHA JIBON, who greeted and welcomed to all present. The meeting was participated by – Dhamrai Police Station OC and Inspector of Operations, representatives of SJ and Sadakalo and small entrepreneurs of Transgender and Hijra community.

The special purpose of the round table meeting is how the people of this population are or will establish themselves in various livelihood occupations. In this regard, how the police station of the local area can give them overall support or what kind of steps will be beneficial for them in the future have been discussed in detail.

At this step, the participants present their own experiences of Livelihood cases. For example: Nasima Hijra says – “I was in the sex profession before. Ananya Guru engaged me in this profession a food van for me through Sadakalo. There are many problems during the COVID period. Still have continued. The policemen helped me. Again I was admitted to violence by many people. But I could not protest the
Injustice”.

Sohagi Hijra said – I was also in a very poor situation. I have given a Parlor through Sadakalo. The work was not easy at all. I have made many problem faces, for example, the shopkeeper keeps 5.00 Takainstead of 2.00 Taka. People in the market have said a lot of bad comments. Hijra parlors, no one goes there, they are not good. But police Habibur Rahman sir was by our side. So we have proved, we can also run Parlor successfully”.

In this Time, Mr. Sirajul Islam Sheikh, Officer in Charge (OC) and Nirmal Saha, Inspector Operations spoke on behalf of the local police administration. They were very positive, they said – “we have mixed and worked with different diverse communities, such as fishermen, Sweepers, bedes and transgenders. Fill my heart, want to do something for them. I hope you will get the full support of Police station. You come to our office for any small matter, have a cup of tea, we are very sincere towards you. We will always be by your side. We hope you will find us in any problem”. He gives everyone his own phone number. We are all citizens of Bangladesh that is our identity. We all have equal rights. We will live life with our dignity like other people in any profession. The round table meeting was completed with this statement.

Another Round Table meeting on Safety and Legal Assistance and Safe Employment for Gender Diverse Populations was held at the Officers Cafe and Restaurant of Dhamrai Upazila.
The meeting was presided over by Parboti Ahmed, Chairperson, SHATHA JIBON, who greeted and welcomed all present.

The special purpose of the round table meeting is to discuss in detail how the people of this population can get their legal rights and apply them in their real life through the esteemed advocates present and discuss the legal services in detail.

Among the invited guests, Mr. Abul Kalam Mizanur Rahman, LLB, Diploma in Human Rights, Advocate, said – “When buying and selling land and shops or any property, it must be registered with the sub-registry office. Then there will be no more problem”.
A message to all – if you are undertaking a trade license to establish a company, transact money, or undertake to provide any service, you must have local representatives witnessing the work, then there will be no more problems.

Hijra representatives brought up real cases in the light of their experiences and the invited guests promptly addressed some of the issues. For example – Maya Hijra, she bought a piece of land but still can’t get it registered. Mr. Abul Kalam Mizanur Rahman immediately resolved this matter, contacted him and asked him to complete the work. He also said that “this government is very kind to the third gender. He promised to solve any problem, personal-family-social, any embarrassment through the phone, he said that he is ready to provide any kind of assistance”.
A BLAST’s representative said – “We are committed to providing legal services. There are 500-600 people present, providing legal assistance on various issues. 36 sessions were conducted on various awareness issues, family, arbitration, property and worked for legal assistance in garment worker violence-harassment-resignation, medical, extortion, discrimination, training etc. Hijra members can also come there to seek legal services”.

BANDHU’s representative said – “You can come to us for any legal aid related problems. We have three Watch Dog committees, ain-alap, through which services are provided to this population. We are by your side in any problem”.
During the meeting Mr. Dr. Saima Khan, Country Director, UNAIDS Bangladesh joins online and gives her introduction and says –“No one can concentrate on any work without protecting himself. Everyone should keep in mind – no one should cause harm to anyone, no one should harm anyone.
SK’s partner organization, SJ has a strong background in advocacy. SJ has conducted advocacy activities at local levels with LEA, local CSOs and other institutions to ensure access to justice and elimination of disparities among gender diverse communities. SJ may extend advocacy initiatives with local authorities including LEAs to locally mobilize support for SK’s business venture, which would in turn help in its visibility and expansion of both its business and social responsibilities”.
The Executive Director hoped that “if these people could get services and support according to the topics discussed in today’s meeting, they would benefit a lot and the meeting would also be fruitful”. Then the chairperson of SJ announced the end of today’s meeting by inviting the next follow-up session.

Also to help a showcase model example of a socially mainstreamed business venture, run by gender diverse people, that provides both safer and sustainable livelihood and also disseminates information on HIV and STI prevention and support.

Uttaran Beauty Parlor located in Dhamrai, Kayetpara was modernized and inaugurated on 10 March, 2024.
Through this Parlor, the Hijra community has proven that, given the opportunity, they too can become self-employment, earn and live with dignity in the society.

If livelihood support can be made available to gender diverse people, then surely this population will have to mainstream as well as preventing HIV and STIs in the society. We have seen a model example of ‘Uttoran Beauty Parlor’ in SK organization.

Representatives of various institutions of Dhamrai Upazila were present in this inauguration ceremony, Country Director, UNAIDS, SJ and SK representative were also present. SJ Chairperson, Parboti Ahmed conducted the inauguration ceremony.

 

Dhamrai Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Tazwar Akram Sakapi Ibn Sajjad was the chief guest, Dr Noor Riffat Ara Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, Dhamrai, Operation Officer Jamal Uddin, Dhamrai Police Station, 1st Ward Councilor Md. Arif Bhai, 2nd Ward Councilor Md. Amjad Bhai, reserved women councilor Farhana Apa. Also present were journalists, healthy lives and black and white members.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Tajwar Akram Sakapi Ibn Sajjad inaugurated the parlor. He stood by the Hijra community and encouraged them. He assured to always be by their side in any related work.

Dr. Saima Khan, UNAIDS, said that every person in Bangladesh has something to give, but it is not possible due to lack of support. If every man acquires skill in her/his own work, she/he will surely be able to manage her/his life by using skill. Everyone should try to move head high in the society through work skills and be established in the society. This beauty parlor is a great example of that.

Farhana said that the Prime Minister has arranged allowances for third gender people, she has given equal rights to all, so we all have to move forward.
Arif said, now no one withdraws money in Dhamrai market. If employment is created, no one will ask people for money. He thanked the IG Sir for standing by the Hijras.
Amjad said, Ananya, the founder of Sadakalo, has known me since childhood, she used to come to me for help in various matters, I helped her as much as possible. .

Operation Officer Jamal Uddin, Dhamrai Police Station, said, Hijra community is a part of society, everyone will realize their dreams. Hijras should move forward with self-respect. To be self-employment, to survive in the society like everyone else. We are with you in any kind of legal assistance.

Dr. Nur Rifat Ara, stakeholder, said, Dhamrai Upazila Health Complex is open 24 hours for them. We are ready to provide any type of health care. She requested Dr. Saima Khan to provide an orientation in this regard at Dhamrai Upazila Health Complex. She expressed the hope that this group will go a long way through the employment of beauty parlors.
Nasima, Peer, said, once I felt weak, but now I don’t think so, I have progressed far through my own employment, don’t judge everyone by 1/2 people, we are giving motivation to our people so that everyone creates employment opportunities.
Miss Boby, Hijra Guru, said, we will not call ourselves backward now, we are moving forward, we will move forward, because of the third gender, many people do not get opportunities, but with your cooperation, we will move forward.