Employability of Transgender in Bangladesh: Problems and Prospect

Date

2022-06

Authors

Abedin, Fariha
Sarker, Md. Atiqur Rahman

Journal Title

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Volume Title

Publisher

Texas State University, Center for Diversity and Gender Studies

Abstract

In this era of human rights movement, the transgender people still remain as one of the critically disadvantaged community in many developing countries. Bangladesh legally recognized them as ‘third gender’ just in the year 2013 and since then a contradiction between being legally recognized and protection of their rights existed. This study examines the consequences of the transformation of this socio-cultural status of Hijra (transgender) into a legal one and analyses their basic rights, focusing on their employment rights. The right to employment is a universal right for all, including the transgender, where the Constitution of Bangladesh also ensures equal rights and provides equality before law with the prohibition of gender discrimination in availing employment facilities. This research evaluates the problems and hindrances as well as the support and enforcement of existing social and legal system of the country in development of the transgender’s’ lives. To come into conclusion, five In-depth Interviews (IDIs) from transgender and two Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted along with extensive field observations. The findings revealed, albeit the legal recognition and social adjustment of the Hijra’s, present public mindset and the policy gap are major concerns till date.

Description

Keywords

transgender, Hijra, third gender, employment rights

Citation

Abedin, F., & Sarker, M. A. R. (2022). Employability of transgender in Bangladesh: Problems and prospect. Journal of Research on Women and Gender, 11(1), pp. 3-16.

Rights

Rights Holder

© Fariha Abedin and Md. Atiqur Rahman Sarker 2022.

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