1. Health &Treatment Seeking Behavior in Hijra Community in Delhi Yashwinder Singh The Naz Foundation (India) Trust New Delhi

2. 9/30/2016www.nazindia.org2 Who are Hijras??? Hijras are individuals who neither identify themselves as a man nor a woman, identify themselves as woman, identify themselves between a man and a woman. Often referred as “third gender”.

3. 9/30/2016www.nazindia.org3 Socio economic background of Hijras They are in Indian sub continent. They always cross dress. Hijra subculture is extremely hierarchical. They often embrace Islam after joining the community. Community has its own language, rules of conduct & punishment.

4. 9/30/2016www.nazindia.org4 Socio economic background of Hijras Hijra subculture has historical mythologies. Emasculation is very common feature in the community. The term “kinnar” is recently being used. Illiteracy & poverty are common in the community. Main source of livelihood includes “badhai”, begging and sex work.

5. 9/30/2016www.nazindia.org5 Objectives of the Study Objective: To identify health & treatment seeking behavior of the community and to integrate right based approach in the prevention based programs in Delhi.

6. 9/30/2016www.nazindia.org6 Methodology Study was done in Delhi. Time period of the study was 3 months. 5 FGDs & 30 IDIs with the community members were conducted. 2 case studies were taken up.

7. 9/30/2016www.nazindia.org7 Methodology External stakeholders for KII: 5 doctors, 5 community healers, 5 police personnel, 5 religious leaders, 5 area in – charge personnel. Internal stakeholders for KII: 5 community leaders & 20 would be community leaders.

8. 9/30/2016www.nazindia.org8 Findings Hijras denied admissions in govt. hospitals. Doctors perceive them to be not worth living and nuisance. Police believes that Hijras are criminal under existing laws and have no right to co exist with the mainstream. Religious leaders see them as immoral beings.

9. 9/30/2016www.nazindia.org9 Findings Hijras have been denied necessary govt. documents like ration cards, DL, Voters ID card, etc. as Hijras. Though Indian Passport have the option of “E” as gender but many community members perceive it to be misleading and insulting.

10. 9/30/2016www.nazindia.org10 Findings Many could not complete even their primary education because of harassment faced at schools. Given option many community members would take up alternate source of livelihood. Many were denied services like bank account.

11. 9/30/2016www.nazindia.org11 Recommendations Medical establishments and law enforcement agencies need to be sensitized on the issues of sexuality & gender. Issues related to Hijras need to be mainstreamed. Policies need to be framed at the govt. level to ensure rights of the Hijras are not violated.

12. Thanks…