Dreaming of an Inclusive Society
Syed Mahi Ahmed ।। I went to Amberkhana – the focal point of Sylhet city – on the eve of 27th Ramadan. Suddenly, I heard the hue and cry while buying groceries. I saw two women entered the store hurriedly as a resort of protection. The shop manager asked them what happened. They pointed towards hijras (third gender), and some commented in a derogatory tone “because of hijras”. I eyed to the road, and there some hijras were buying things. They didn’t ask for money, nor did they pose any threat to others. I immediately sensed that the women felt nervous and intimidated after seeing them. And at the shop, all including men and women categorized them as “others” as well as “mean”. Such labeling stems from stereotypical ideas and practices which are embedded in our minds and society.
We like to put men at the first place in our society; women as the second; and others (third gender) are discarded which is why our society and the structure cannot hold and include others. Precisely to say, we consider “men” as human, “women” as sub-human, “hijras” as non-human. Our such consideration leads to shape a society wherein all policies, structures and infrastructures are favourable to men, unfavourable to women, far away from third gender.
Yes, changes with regards to women empowerment have been taking place over the years. We have legal, economical and political frameworks to help, encourage and empower women, though these are not enough and hard to be implemented. Laws of rape exist, but the incident is still happening with significant numbers; economical activity is open to all, but women are harassed and abused at work; politics help formulate legal policies, but the political participation of women is rarely noticeable. Equality is written in the laws, but discrimination is on in practice.
If the situation of women is like this, now we can imagine what is happening for the “third gender”. Their conditions are so deplorable that we, living within the mainstream society, can seldom think of : only their status “third gender” was recognised, but no special laws and policies for them are in function at full speed. We have no formal institutions – sufficient numbers – to offer education and training for them. And herein our mainstream educational institutions don’t embrace them. They aren’t welcomed as professionals in formal job-sector. Our laws and policies may not work as barriers for them entering into education and work; our environment and attitude do impede them, however.
Having no education, training and mainstream socialization, they are forced to extort money and engage in crime. They live in isolated areas with a shabby condition where necessary health facilities, living conditions and sanitation are deliberately ignored. I acknowledge that some hijras work as a group, go to enterprises and people, forcefully take money out of people’s pockets; but they do so because there are no other options left for them to survive. If they were within our society, they would lead their lives with the same dignity we have; and if they commit crime, they would be within the purview of law. Keeping them segregated and providing no services are of no use except growing frustration among hijras and mistrust among people.
There are some glaring instances that make our stereotypical notions wrong: all of them (hijras) don’t immerse in crime; during the ongoing pandemic, a community of hijras are helping Covid patients to receive treatment; many are distributing food to the poor. Recently, we’ve a transgender woman doing news-anchoring in a mainstream media. BRAC university is offering a high-professional course where third gender can admit. I also saw a third gender contested the Mayoral election. There are other examples as well, I just stated a few. The bottom line is: they have come so far with little support. Imagine if they got support and inclusion, they would have transgressed the present label. So, all third genders don’t involve in anti-social and anti-law activities.
Hate is not an appropriate approach to keep safe. Hate only begets hate: if we detest them, they keep same for us. In this way, misunderstanding and mistrust scale up between us and them. And this is more than enough for breaking down stability as well as destroying peace and harmony. We must include and embrace all. Yes, we have special laws for special rights, but we must have universal laws, policies and structures for all, irrespective of gender, caste, religion and economy. Building a society inclusive for all – wherein everyone has same dignity, right and opportunity – guarantees sustenance and tranquility.
(The views and opinions expressed by the writers are those of their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Feminist Factor)
