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DAC to carry out Aids awareness

Maharashtra has the highest number of transgenders who are vulnerable to the disease.

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A study conducted across 17 states by the department of Aids control (DAC) under the National Aids Control Programme-IV has identified pockets where a majority of the transgenders live.

The top five states with the highest number of TG or hijras are Maharashtra (10,057), UP (8,001), Odisha (7,854), West Bengal (6,788), and Andhra Pradesh (5,401). 

“Our teams, which constitute NGOs and various other organisations, would go to these places to spread awareness,” said Lov Verma, secretary, DAC.    

A total of 5,821 TG sites were mapped, out of which 1,664 (around 28.6%) and 4,157 (around 71.4 %) are in rural and urban areas respectively. Total TG population across 17 states is 62,137 and the top five states constitute 60% of the total sites mapped. 

“We have studied the pattern of TG/Hijras’ Gharana and non-Gharana system and since most of them are indulged in sex work, it was very important to understand their way of life. Almost 62 per cent of total TG population are involved in sex work and the number is highest in Uttar Pradesh,” said another senior official DAC.

Among the 17 states, the highest proportion of TG associated with Gharana are in Maharashtra (7,762, i.e., around 77%). On an average every three TGs out of five are indulged in sex work. Engaging in commercial sexual practice is the major source of income for TGs in Maharashtra, and almost 36 per cent of the population is engaged in sexual activities.

Maximum in Mumbai
586 sites were mapped in 33 districts of Maharashtra. Pune had maximum of 99 sites followed by Thane (66), Nashik (43), Mumbai (37) and Mumbai suburban (29). At least 79% of the sites fall under urban areas showing why Mumbai has the maximum transgenders among the metro cities.

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