Palghar

Palghar Zillah Parishad

Nidhi Chaudhary

Kinnar Maa Trust

Salma Khan

Balutai Patil

Under the Government of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission,'s dream of 'home toilets' has come true with participation of 22 transgenders from Mumbai.The transgenders came together to build as many as 7500 toilets in the area. The people from the transgender community educated the villagers about importance of cleanliness. Through formulation of public education and people's participation, the transgenders were accepted as a part of the society by the villagers.A year ago, on the initiative ofChief Executive Officer, the transgenders were linked to this project under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.In Palghar, the number of toilets in the open was large. Even though there has been a provision of Rs 12,000 for the construction of toilets, under the government scheme, the general mindset about public hygiene was not altered.The villagers allegedly believed that toilet in the house led to diseases. However, through singing, street plays and counselling, these 22 transgenders of '' in Mumbai understood the need for the toilets to the villagers.There was no communication between women in the menstrual cycle, the lack of toilet, the school leaving the toilet, and the problem of genetic disorders. They did the job successfully by the team of this transgenders.Many have given negative feedback to transgenders. Some of them closed the doors in front of them. However, the transgender braved all the obstructions with their determination.of Kinnar Maa Trust shared her experience, “We have not left. Everyone should know, what cleanliness means. It was a great fight for us. Initially, the villagers started interacting with us. The girls started talking freely.”Most importantly, the villagers came forward to build toilets in the house. He accepted the advice given by the third parties as 'Clean man'.The toilets were built considering the needs of everyone’s like woman, disabled, elderly and minors. Taking inspiration from each other, over seven thousand toilets have been constructed in Palghar this year.“If we had not met them, we would have been going out in the open. Often at night, it is risky and sometimes even dogs would run on the body. Initially, the old men of the village opposed (construction of toilets). However, they now understand,” said the village'sOther villagers also narrated their need and importance of toilets in their lives.Today, transgenders get identity on paper record only. However, they will not be accepted until their involvement in actual social work. Previously there was an inferiority complex in the minds of the transgenders too. However, many teenagers are now making their better of their lives by educating themselves. This education is aimed at the benefit of the common man.Due to the project in Palghar, UNDP has also joined this group in Mumbai for participating in social awareness programs on health issues, said Priya Patil, the project's participant.