A views exchange meeting was held on Tuesday with stakeholders involved in their socio-economic development project to increase the livelihood security and social status of Hijra community in Jamalpur district. Jahangir Salim, Human Resource Development Director of the Development Association, presided over the event.
Liton Sarkar, Manager of Socio-Economic Development Project of Hijra Community, moderated the exchange meeting held at the Sheola meeting room of DTRC of the Development Association.
Jamalpur municipality councilor Saida Akhter, lawyer Mahfuza Sultana Sathi, lawyer Nuruzzaman, teacher Azimunnahar Shelley, Imam Md. took part in the discussion. Nazrul Islam, Hijra member Chandra Akhter, Hijra member Anju, journalist Tanveer Hira and Priest Sukant Chakraborty were present.
It is learnt that 260 Hijras have been enlisted in Jamalpur under the project under implementation through the development association with the financial support of BSRM, the country's largest steel company.
According to the exchange meeting sources, it is known that participants in income-generating activities by organizing vocational training, preparing family development plans and business plans for each project participants, providing financial support for family development have been implementing various activities. Already, 150 people have been given interest-free loans in various trades with technical training. They are known to be on the path to success by investing money in the right work.
The negotiators said that to bring the Hijras into the mainstream of development, the representatives of different levels of society should cooperate with their respective positions. Human dignity should be established by treating Hijras as human beings.
In the President's speech, Jahangir Salim said that if the government forms the Hijra Welfare Board and arranges employment for them through various skills development training, then their social security and status will increase.
The participants pledged to ensure access in all areas, change their behavior and eliminate discrimination as well as play a role in the socio-economic development of transgenders.