Study on Human Rights of Transgender as a Third Gender, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Delhi

To improve the situation of transgender in our country and to bring them to the mainstream development, National Human Rights Commission has assigned a research study to Kerala Development Society. The study covered the profile of transgender as a third gender encompassing important socio-economic variables. The main objectives of the study are to study the overall profile of transgender as a third gender encompassing important socio-economic variables, like age, caste, religion, education, employment and income and to examine various kinds of discrimination, human rights violations faced by them. We have made an in-depth study of the programmes/schemes /facilities provided for transgender by the Centre, State or Local Government and critically identified the areas of economic activities for self-reliance. The study covered an in-depth analysis of the laws and policies for transgender along with the Supreme Court judgments and steps taken by the Central and State Governments for their overall developments in the light of the given policy, law(s) and judgment. The draft report submitted and presentation on the findings of the study was made to the Chairman and Members of the National Human Right Committee. The project is approved. The report is available at www.nhrc.nic.in/research_completed.htm

Access to Justice for the Marginalized People

This project is in collaboration with Department of Justice (DoJ), Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India and UNDP. A total of 8 Legal Literacy Training Programme were organized for Self Help Group Members in Muzaffarpur and Nalanda districts of Bihar and Karauli and Tonk districts of Rajasthan. Legal literacy training is provided to a total of 400 SHG women in 2010. A booklet for SHG- based legal volunteers (SLVs), namely SLV booklet, was prepared as part of training material. It is a simplified booklet which contains various provisions of law relevant to poor women and SHG members. It contained an introduction to the role and functions of SHG members in legal awareness programme, descriptions on various aspects of relevant laws in simple Hindi with several examples and explanations. According to our field experience, marginalized sections in the four districts, by and large, do not approach Police Station or get an FIR registered. As a part of our Training of Trainers programme, an exposure visit of all the SHG women leaders to nearest Police Station was organized. An interactive session was held between SHG leaders and Police officers at the Police Station. The significance of FIR in accessing criminal justice and the details on how to file an FIR and the contents of the applications were explained.

The details of training programme organized under “Access to Justice for the Marginalized People” are as follows:

• Legal literacy training programme Shri Mahaveer Ji, Karauli, Rajasthan, 6-7 May 2010.

  Two days legal literacy training programme for SHG Legal Volunteers (SLVs) was held at Shri Mahaveer Ji, Karauli on 6th and 7th May 2010. A total of 54 SHG leaders from Todabhim and Hindaun blocks of Karauli districts attended the training programme. These SHGs are formed under different government programmes. Currently these SHGs have been promoted by Indira Ghandi Mahila Bal Vikas Shikshan Sansthan. Mr. Atal Singh Champawat, judicial Magistrate, Shri Mahaveer jee and Chairman Taluka Legal Service Authority inaugurated the training programme. He made an elaborate presentation on various legal issues and the role of Legal Services Authority. Resource Persons who made the presentations in various technical sessions included Mr. Hakim Manjhi, Advo. Shreman Gujjar, Advo. Suresh Sharma, Mr.Bhagawan Sahaya Sharma, Mr. Ashutosh Srivastava, Mr.Rakesh kumar Sharma, Mr.Rakesh Kumar and Dr.Jacob John.

• Legal literacy training programme for SHG Legal Volunteers during 13-14 May 2010, Muzaffarpur, Bihar.

  Two days legal literacy training programme for SHG Legal Volunteers was held on 13th and 14th May 2010 at Centre Direct Training Institute, Muzaffarpur, Bihar. A total of 52 SHG members attended the programme. Identified participants are the office bearers of SHGs. These SHGs were formed under various programmes of Bihar government. These SHGs are promoted by Centre Direct in Muzaffarpur. Judge Suresh Chandra Pandya, Member Lok Adalat inaugurated the training programme. He made elaborate presentations on the role and services of Lok Adalat. Judge Suresh Chandra Pandya, Member Lok Adalat Advocate Sunita Kumari, Advocate Esha Kumari, Advocate Bacha Patak, Md.Umar Ansari, Mr. Promod Kumar Sharma, Ms Preeti R. Thomas, Dr. Jacob John and Mr. Rakesh Kumar had given classes on different topics.

• Legal literacy training programme for SHG Legal Volunteers (SLVs), 20-21 May 2010, Bihar Sharif, Nalanda district, Bihar.

  Two days legal literacy training programme for SHG Legal Volunteers (SLVs) was held on 20th and 21th May 2010, in Bihar Sharif, Nalanda district, Bihar. A total of 51 SHG leaders attended the training programme. These SHGs are formed under various programmes of Bihar government. These SHGs are promoted by Jan Jagran Sansthan. Judge Chandra Shekhar Sharma, Member, Lok Adalat, Nalanda District inaugurated the training programme. He made an elaborate presentation on the role and services of Lok Adalat. Advocate Narendra Kumar Gautam, Mr. Bharat Kashyap, Member, Lok Adalat, Mr. Nawal Kishore, Mr.Bharat Kasyab, Mr. Anjani Kumar, Mr.Rakesh Kumar and Dr.Jacob John made presentations in different sessions.

• Training of Trainers Programme Hindaun City, Karauli District, Rajasthan, 11-16 July 2010.

  Training of “Trainers Programme for Self-Help Group Based Legal Volunteers” was organized in Hindaun City, Karauli District, Rajasthan during 11-16 July 2010. From Karauli district, a total of 48 Self Help Group members attended the TOT programme. These Self-Help Group (SHGs) are formed under different government programmes. Currently these SHGs are promoted by Indira Ghandi Mahila Bal Vikas Shikshan Sansthan. Various technical sessions were held during the training programme. Resource Persons who made the presentations in various technical sessions included Mr. Sreeman Singh Gujjar a leading advocate , Mr. Bhagawan Das Sharma, SHG specialist Mr. Rakesh Kumar Sharma, MGNAREGA specialist, Mr. Prahlad Singh, Head Constable, Ms. Ruman, Lady Constable, Mr. Narendra Singh, Constable, Mr. Rakesh Kumar, RTI specialist and Dr.Jacob John, The Project Director.

• Legal literacy training programmes for SHG Legal Volunteers (SLVs), Newai, Tonk District, 29-30 September 2010.

  Two days legal literacy training programme for SHG Legal Volunteers (SLVs) was held during 29-30. A total of 100 SHG leaders attended the two days training programmes in two batches. Among them 50 participants were in Batch-I and the remaining in Batch-II. These SHGs are promoted by Samuhik Vikas Sanstan. Various Technical Sessions were held during the training programme. Resource Persons who made the presentations in various technical sessions included Mr. Kailash Naraian Meena, SDM, Mr. Shyam Sunder Sharma, a leading advocate , Mr. Hanuman Sahai Sharma, SHG specialist , Mr. Pawan Kumar Sharma, MGNAREGA specialist, Mr. Jai Singh and Mr. Gopal Singh Head Constables, Ms. Gayatri Devi, Ms. Surgyan Devi Lady Constables, Mr. Gajendra Singh Constable, Mr. Rakesh Kumar, RTI specialist and Mr. Simon George, SHG specialist.

• Legal literacy training programmes for SHG Legal Volunteers (SLVs), Muzaffarpur District, 18-19 December 2010

  Two days legal literacy training programme for SHG Legal Volunteers (SLVs) was held at Muzaffarpur during 18-19 December 2010. A total of 66 SHG leaders attended the two training programmes. These SHG leaders were from Mottipur, Sahaggang and Sariya blocks in Muzaffarpur district. Resource Persons who made the presentations in various technical sessions included Mr. Bal Krishna Verma, Additional District Judge IV Muzaffarpur, Mr. Arobind Kumar Singh, SDJM Mr.A.K.Maji, Majistrate Dr.(Ms.) Sangetha Sahi, a leading advocate, Mr. Prakash Sahai, a leading advocate, Mr.P.K.Sharma, Director, Centre Direct and an RTI specialist, Mr.MD Ansari MGNAREGA specialist, Ms.Sangeta Kumari, Ms.Mamta Sinha, Ms.Nitu Kumari, Ms.Dolly Kumari, Indu Kumari, Usha Kumari, Mr.Sandeep Kumar and Dr. Jacob John, SHG specialist.

• Legal literacy training programmes for SHG Legal Volunteers (SLVs), Harnaut, Nalanda District, 20-21 December 2010.

  Two days legal literacy training programme for SHG Legal Volunteers (SLVs) was held at Harnaut, Nalanda district during 20-21 December 2010. A total of 50 SHG leaders attended the two training programmes. These SHG leaders were from Harnaut block in Nalanda district. Resource Persons who made the presentations in various technical sessions included Mr. Vinod Kumar, Advocate, Mrs. Vivekkumari, Advocate, Mrs. Kiran Kumari RTI specialist, Mr. Anjani kumar Sinha Mr.MD Ansari MGNAREGA specialist, Mr. Binay Prasad Singh, Constable, Harnaut police station and Dr. Jacob John, SHG specialist.

• Ten Training programmes by SHG Tainers(TSHGT) to provide training on legal awareness to SHG members (SLVs) in Nalanda, Bihar , October-December 2012.

• Ten Training programmes by SHG Tainers(TSHGT) to provide training on legal awareness to SHG members (SLVs) in Muzaffarpur, Bihar , July-September 2012.

• Ten Training programmes by SHG Tainers(TSHGT) to provide training on legal awareness to SHG members (SLVs) in Tonk District, Rajasthan, January-March 2012.

• Ten Training programmes by SHG Tainers(TSHGT) to provide training on legal awareness to SHG members (SLVs) in Karauli, Rajasthan, April-June 2012.