Kerala government ropes in NGO to conduct survey of transgenders

Kerala Government has decided to conduct a socio-economic and situational survey of transgenders in the state through an NGO with a view of formulating welfare measures for them.

The Social Justice Department of the state has commissioned Sangama, an NGO working for the human rights of Sexual Minorities in Karnataka and Kerala, to undertake the survey across the state, Sangama Director Gurukiran Kamat told reporters on Wednesday.

The survey, aimed at also understanding the various problems faced by them in their day-to-day life, would begin on August 16, he said.

The Organisation would file a preliminary report after a 'one to one interview' with trangenders in the state in October and final report in November, he added.

Kamat said Sangama was already working in 10 districts of Kerala from 2010 by implementing Global Fund Pehchan Project reaching out services to about 2,5000 transgenders.

The survey would help the government to start efforts in getting social entitlements, access to schemes, jobs and education in Kerala to the third genders, Anil, Sangama Board member, said.