MARGINALIZATION OF TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY IN INDIA
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes "Transgender" as an umbrella term used to identify people, whose gender identity and expressions does not conform with the norms and expectations traditionally associated with the sex assigned to them at the birth. It includes people who are transsexual, transgender or otherwise considered gender non conforming, for example, a transgender person may identify as a woman despite having been born with male genitalia or vice versa. Various factors influence transgender's life at individual, family, community and societal level. At individual level, it leads to gender dysphoria, at family level, it leads to rejection, neglect and violence, at community level, it leads to exclusion from education, peer network, livelihood opportunities and at societal level, there is lack of legal identity, social protection and access to social welfare. Parents should not segregate transgender child, should take special care of them and treat them with normality to ensure self esteem among transgenders, which will lead to a transgender living in their families and societies with dignity. There is a need of transformation and improvement in the field of health, awareness, education, nutrition, shelter, family life and employment. School and colleges need to become inclusive and play a supportive and encouraging role in providing education and value system to a transgender. Judiciary and the law enforcement systems need to be sensitized on the issues of transgender community. Overall, a massive awareness and sensitization campaigns need to be run by government and civil societies to facilitate society in eradicating its stigma against transgender and become more inclusive towards the third gender, which is "Transgender"