DHAKA, March 26, 2024 (BSS)- Rashed sat on a bus in the city’s Firmgate area. The city was grid-locked and he was too late to reach his office to attend an urgent meeting with foreign merchandisers. But, suddenly, a group of transgender people entered into the bus and started to collect money. Rashed also gave them Taka 10. But, they wanted more. Once, Rashed got angry and beat up those people.

It was not the lone incident in the city or other places of the country. The transgender community, well known as ‘hizra’, often harassed people. Even, they entered into newborn baby or wedding houses and demanded ‘big money’.

The transgender community in Bangladesh is discriminated socially and economically as they are viewed by many as abnormal, face physical and emotional violence and abuse. Many incidents go unreported due to fear of retribution or lack of legal recognition.

Most of the transgender people are engaged in sex work or begging, and a large number of them face gender-based abuse.

Often transgender people are denied jobs and opportunities in economic activities. And those who, land up with opportunities, earn lesser than others.

Thirty-three-year-old Kawser said, “We’ve no any other profession. From our childhood, we’ve been detached from our family. From the very beginning we’ve learnt begging. But, the common people told it ‘extortion’.”

The transgender community also wants to join the mainstream of development with the help of the state. They also want to create example before the society despite social stigma.

For this, they need only government's involvement or employment opportunity. They were forced to go astray due to the non-cooperation from their own family, social inequality and negative attitude and lack of government facilities.

Kawser, who is from Keraniganj of Dhaka, is now selling ‘pan and cigarettes’ at different places in Dhaka city. He is bearing his family costs from the business. Even, he a bearing the educational expenses of a sister a brother.

Every member of his family is normal. But Kawsar is different. Once, he felt sorrow and thought that why the ‘Lord’ did it with him. But, now he accepts his destiny and said ‘what is happened . . . all is good’.

Kawsar said he was also involved in ‘hijra profession’ as he didn’t find any scope of earning money in proper way.

At the age 24, he took some loan from a person from his area who loved Kawsar and started selling ‘pan and cigarettes’.

Kawsar said, at the beginning, it was not so easy to sell. Many people didn’t want to buy. They (people) thought that he (Kawsar) would demand money, he said, adding that later, their mentality and attitude have been changed and his sale has increased gradually.

Kawsar said, “Now, I’m bearing all my family expenses. There are my mother, a sister and a brother in my family.

 My sister and brother are now going to college. My family also understands the situation."

Like Kawsar, thirty-five-year-old Nilima’s story is almostly the same. She was born in Sylhet city. After her birth, the family members handed her over to the transgender community. After that, she lived with them.

 They (transgender community) gave her education. But, at the age of 16, Nilima was also involved with their profession.

Once, Nilima thought it was not good. She tried to give up the profession. With the help of her elder sister, she started a job at an NGO. Now, Nilima is bearing her family expenses with her income.

Nilima said it is now normal. “My own family has accepted me. I also help them to run the family costs. I also accept everything and try to live with my health condition.”

She said, at present, the Awami League government is also helping the transgender community.

 “But, along with the state, every solvent person should come forward to help the community.

Thus, they (transgender) would play a pivotal role in the society also. Even, they can set an example before the society,” Nilima added.