A Bill which seeks to empower transgenders by defining their identity and rights to prohibit discrimination against them was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Friday.
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019, was introduced by Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot.
The bill provides a mechanism for their social, economic and educational empowerment,
The bill seeks to define the expression 'transgender person' and prohibits discrimination against transgender persons.
The bill will bring greater accountability on the part of the central government, state governments and Union Territories for issues concerning transgender persons, besides making all the stakeholders also responsive and accountable for upholding the principles underlying the Bill.
The bill prohibits discrimination against a transgender person in areas such as education, employment, and healthcare. It directs the central and state governments to provide welfare schemes in these areas.
The bill also provides for grievance redressal mechanism in each establishment and will also establish a national council for transgender persons.