Bangladesh, like many other countries of the world, has a community of non-binary gender who suffers from a mismatch between their biological sexual gender and their gender identity. In Bangladesh as well as in India, Pakistan and Nepal, they are known as hijras. To the majority of people, the gender identity of hijras may still be confusing because of various subgroups in the community. But it is commonly believed that they are neither male nor female, but a third gender, which the government of Bangladesh has recognised them to be.
Even though these people are born and raised in the same country as the majority population, they are not only denied most of the fundamental rights that come with their birthright, but are also socially isolated and stigmatized, leading them to live a peripheral life.
A chapter of the History and Social Science textbook for seventh-grade students named 'The Story of Sharifa' gives a vivid illustration of the plight of the hijras. The central character of the story Sharif is born as a male. But as he grows up, he discovers he is actually a she… a girl in a male body. She then experiences ostracisation from her family and society. Subsequently, she runs away from home and finds acceptance in the Hijra community. Afterwards, she changes her name from Sharif to Sharifa and transforms her lifestyle.
Sharifa's story is just one among the thousands that could be told by the hijras in Bangladesh, all of whom suffered stigma, ostracisation, mockery and name calling, even though they are created by the same creator with the same flesh and blood and given a soul just like anyone else.
The primary objective of introducing Sharifa's Story in textbook is to sensitise students about the less fortunate sections of people in society. But many think that the way the story has been told is not appropriate, and it could have been incorporated in the books of upper grades, say, class nine or ten. The government has already formed a committee to sort out the issues. Besides, initiatives should be taken to create public awareness about the plight of the hijras.
According to the 2022 census, the number of hijras in Bangladesh is 12,629, but the actual figure could be around one lakh, according to estimates of some NGOs. In most cases, the hijras are discriminated against in jobs, education, property ownership and so on. In absence of employment opportunities, to survive they have to beg, resort to prostitution, or play different tricks to coarse people into giving them money, which cause civic menace and drive a bigger wedge between them and society. But did the majority people ever ponder what landed them in this sordid predicament?
A handful of these people, however, are gradually finding their way into the mainstream of society. For example, one of them has recently been elected as a UP chairman, another recruited as a TV hostess, and some are doing well in running businesses like beauty parlours and finding jobs thanks to some government and non-government organisations' benevolent initiatives. But still, the biggest difficulty faced by them is the social prejudice, which is blocking their upward social mobility.
Two obvious fronts to fight to bring hijras into the mainstream of society are raising awareness in society and ensuring their basic rights. If the predominant social bias and prejudice can be overcome, then half the battle will be won. Secondly, housing, healthcare, education, training and job opportunities are the prime needs of the hijras, as of any under-privileged group. If these needs are addressed, it will go some way towards lifting them out of want and squalor, and help build an inclusive and just society.
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