Noor Shekhawat is afraid of hospitals. As a transwoman and activist, she knows the humiliation she endures at the hospital. People stare at them, whisper about them, make fun of them, or fear them.
“When you look different from others, it becomes a big challenge to get medical care, moreover, if you are made fun of, transgenders will prefer to stay away and because of that they will do it,” Noor said. Treatment will not be possible.”
The lives of transgender people are full of relentless struggle. They are one of the most marginalized communities in the world.
They face discrimination everywhere. At school, at work, at the clinic. Homophobia and transphobia have very deep roots.
Many of them are forced to live in poverty. Many people are victims of violence. Access to healthcare is difficult.
One begins to get suffocated by prejudice and stigma. Because of this, they hesitate to seek treatment even for life-threatening conditions like HIV/AIDS.
Noor Shekhawat said, “Disparity is a daily struggle. People don’t accept transgender women as women. They call us ugly names. Many do not go to the hospital to receive their antiretroviral therapy (ART) for fear of ridicule.
They continue to suffer in silence without access to medical care. Very few formal jobs are available for them. So many of them are forced to become sex workers to survive. This increases their risk of sexually transmitted infections.
new initiative
But this situation has started to change. In Rajasthan’s Jaipur city, a new UNDP initiative is a beacon of hope for transgenders.
UNDP, in collaboration with the Rajasthan Pradesh AIDS Control Society and led by local activists, opened a legal aid clinic in Jaipur.
The clinic provides legal assistance and various other services to transgender people. People infected with HIV are treated through it. It also helps in raising awareness.
This initiative of UNDP is a lifeline for many transgender people.
“This is the first time I have seen something that gives us a little hope…” Noor said.
16 days of activity
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign that highlights the urgent need to combat violence and inequality faced by women and girls around the world.
Under this, UNDP launched a campaign called #WhenWomenHaveAccess, which aims to make a transformative impact on the lives and livelihoods of deeply marginalized women such as transgender women, smallholder women farmers, tribal women and women waste workers.
Noor’s story is a powerful example of overcoming obstacles. Health care is a right. Dignity is a right. No one has to struggle so hard to achieve them.
The work is not finished yet. But every step brings justice closer.
For Noor, and thousands of people like her, it is important to build a world that is beautiful and beautiful in every way.