Third gender deserves equal human dignity

Even a festival like Eid or Puja that brings boundless joy for all comes as an unbearable agony for the third gender known as Hijra, said a leader of the minority group yesterday, while narrating  the anguish of the hermaphrodite population deserted by families.

"None cares about us; even burial of a hermaphrodite invites a crisis," said Anonnya Banik, a third gender and liaison officer of Bandhu Social Welfare Society (BSWS), at a discussion.

Bandhu with the support of USAID organised the discussion on "humanity, human rights, and health care -- parity, social justice and role of civil society" at The Daily Star Centre.

There is no space in society for a person to grow up as a hermaphrodite; they either have to be identified as a male or female, while they are none, she said. The families too start disowning a hermaphrodite child in fear of social "stigma", she added.

"At some point we spare our families the burden and seek refuge in the community of fellows only to live a life of utter indignity," said a sorrowful Anonnya.

Owners in Dhaka city do not rent out houses to hermaphrodites; they have to stay outside the capital city, she said, citing her own example that she has to live in Savar but to travel every day to attend her work in Kakrail.   

Pinki Sikdar, a hermaphrodite and executive director of Badhan that works for rights of the third gender, said they forsook their families, when their personal liberty was restricted and they were denied the opportunity to grow up with their identity. 

But in absence of social recognition, hermaphrodites are denied livelihood opportunities and treated with indignity, said Samiul Alim Sammi, another member of the community. 

"We could have lived an independent life with dignity had the government given us education, training, and housing," she said.   

It is extremely vital to change people's mindset to look at the third gender humanely and with respect and due recognition, said Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Annisul Huq, adding that he would engage a female ward councillor to look after the welfare of hermaphrodites.

Habibur Rahman, superintendent of police of Dhaka, said people of the third gender deserved equal human dignity and rights. The society should dispel the notion that hermaphrodites are some vicious beings, he said. 

USAID agreement officer Jason Smith said the rights of all people should be respected equally, irrespective of their gender.

BSWS executive director Saleh Ahmed spoke among others, while Ain o Salish Kendra deputy director Sanaiyya Ansari moderated the discussion.