Quality of Life-Transgender in Unorganised Sector: A Study on Vilamal Village, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Transgender, a highly marginalised community in our society are mostly disowned by the family and friends due to non-acceptance. People those who have gender identity or gender expression that differs from the assigned sex are referred to as transgender. According to the 2011 census, India has the transgender population of 4.88 lakh. Some of the prominent problems faced by the transgender community in our society are discrimination and social exclusion, lack of educational and employment opportunities, inaccessibility to health facilities, inaccessibility of proper housing and lack of government support, lack of access to public toilet and lack of family support and problems related to marriage and adoption of children. Majority of the transgender work in unorganised sector as it provides space for them and also due to the restriction they face in organised sector. Central Board for Workers Education refers that unorganised sector is marked by low income, unstable and irregular employment and lack of protection either from legislation or trade unions and this sector makes a substantial contribution to the national economy. Majority of the transgender work in various unorganised works like domestic servant, construction worker, street vendors, commercial sex workers, auto drivers and so on. It is not easy for the transgender to enter some of the unorganised sectors also due to discrimination and unnecessary stigma. The quality of life of transgender has not been given required significance in our nation which has to be represented in policies. The study focuses on the quality of life of transgender working in unorganised sector through case study method. The study mainly concentrates the economic condition, physical and mental health, relationship with others and the feel of life satisfaction. The study has been conducted in Vilamal village, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu.