Awareness cum Sensitization program regarding Transgender Person held at Government College, Namchi

Namchi, 29th August (IPR) : An awareness cum Sensitization program with the theme “INCLUSIVE SIKKIM” was held in Sikkim Government College, Namchi regarding Transgender Person (Protection of Rights of Act) 2019 and Rules, 2020.
The program was organized by Rainbow Hills Welfare Association in collaboration with Social Welfare, Women and Child Development Department, Transgender Protection Cell, Namchi district and Gender Sensitization Unit of the college.
The program was attended by Mr. Gopal K. Chettri, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Namchi, Mrs. Pema Rana, SDPO, Dr. Deepak Tewari, Principal, Namchi Govt. College, Welfare Inspectors, Vice Principal, Dean, faculty members, Student and Resource Persons from RHWA.
On the onset of the program, Ms. Viveka Gurung, Assistant Professor, Sociology from Nar Bahadur Bhandari Government College briefed about the Rainbow Hills Welfare Association and spoke elaborately on the concepts of Gender, Sex and Sexuality.
Further, Mr. Yigael Chettri, Vice President of RHWA shared his experience as a Transman in Sikkim and spoke about gender dysphoria and the role of Gender Affirmative Care as life-saving medical intervention.
Similarly, Mr. Upashak Chakraborty who is currently engaged as the Virtual Navigator from Humsafar Trust spoke about Safe sex practices and the importance of getting tested for HIV.
Mr. Bishal Rai, Publicity Secretary RHWA enlightened the house with the historical background of the Indian scenario regarding the existence of Transgender community and spoke about the present context with reference to the legal trajectory of the Transgender Person (Protection of Rights) Act 2019.
Ms. Dil Kumari Gurung, Treasurer RHWA shared on the various Central and State Government Schemes that have been introduced for the welfare of Transgender Persons. She elaborated on the process by which a person can acquire their Transgender Certificate and thereby avail the benefits through the SMILE scheme.
During the program, SDM Namchi expressed his gratitude to all the members of the LGBTQIA+ community for initiating such an event. He mentioned that Namchi district has authorized five Transgender certificates this year and shall help all those who will be applying in future as well.
SDPO Namchi also put forth her address and mentioned that the Police Department acknowledges the need for more awareness and sensitization programs regarding this issue and also extended cooperation to organize the same collaboratively in future.
The role of the members from the Gender Sensitization unit of SGCN was pivotal in the smooth conduct of the program, it was efficiently coordinated by Ms. Diki Choden Bhutia, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Education and Ms. Yangchen Bhutia, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Zoology.
Sikkim is among the very few states in the nation to have established Transgender Protection Cell in every district and the current awareness program is a part of its functionary. Such programs have been duly held earlier in Gangtok, Pakyong, Mangan and Soreng Districts and the same is to be tentatively held in Gyalshing District.