Whenever people talk of gender inclusivity ( people actually talk of 'gender diversity' but since there are not too many diverse genders, let us stick with 'inclusivity') they most often mean the inclusion of women in hitherto men dominated spheres of work.
This in, late 2009, is passe. The march of women at workplace, in India, is slow but sure and is gathering pace to the (pleasant) point of no return. Which is to mean that the world (including corporate world) can choose to ignore women to their own peril.
However, the fate of transgenders in India is deplorable. Disowned by families, and forced to fend for themselves, the national profession for transgenders seems to be petty extortion at traffic signals and railway compartments.
Of course, in some communities, there is a social accommadation in rituals involving trangenders to bless the social function. While this provide a source of livelihood, it does little to bring transgenders to the mainstream. In fact, having the opposite effect - furthering the myth of a transgender's potency to bless and curse.
Society chooses to ignore them, because it is unpleasant to think of them. Anyway if you travel in airconditioned cars and coaches, it is very convenient to ignore them.
No mainstream enterprise hires trangenders. They have no marketable skills. But they are able-bodied and know that society is embarrased by them AND have stomachs to support. Easiest way is to use unpleasantness and extort a price for it.
When will gender inclusivity reach them ?
Friday, December 11, 2009
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