The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Monday started a transgender cell. The new cell will look into the complaints of violence, abuse, harassment and discrimination with the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, Queer) community as well as to create awareness and advocate the cause of the community.

The roles and responsibility of the cell were decided after taking inputs from the LGBTQ community, a DCW statement said.

It pains my heart to see the condition of the transgender as well as the LGBTQ community in our country. The transgender especially is suffering a lot. The Transgender Cell shall focus on the problems faced by the transgender community. It shall also look into complaints of abuse from LGBTQ community," DCW chief Swati Mailwal said in the statement.

"Even though the Supreme Court has passed a judgment that transgender should be given jobs in the government, the same is yet to be implemented. Even the Transgender Bill has lapsed in the Parliament. We stand by the community and shall advocate their cause to the fullest both at the policy as well as the ground level.

In the meeting with DCW Chief Swati Maliwal, held on Saturday, the community members expressed issues and concerns about their safety and security.

Social and Police apathy

"They narrated instances of extreme abuse, physical and sexual harassment, violence, discrimination and social stigma faced by them throughout their lives. They also informed that lack of proper healthcare services, harassment by police and immense violation of basic human rights make their lives miserable on a daily basis," a statement by the DCW said.

For instance, Kajal (name changed) informed that she was forced to marry someone against her wishes and is continuing to live a dual personality. Naina (name changed) narrated a horrific incident of having been gang-raped by three boys in an all-boys school. The school authorities did not take action against the boys and instead, she was forced to leave the school due to which she was unable to complete her education.

"Almost all members of the community described instances of gruesome discrimination and insensitivity of the police towards the community. The community members informed the commission that the police often refused to register complaints dismissing them as culprits without even hearing them," the statement said.

For instance, Sapna (name changed) informed that she was put behind bars more than once without providing reasons for arrest. "Many members of the LGBTQ community were also present in the meeting who narrated several instances where they were asked by the police to strip to prove their sex if they wanted to register a complaint," it said.

Community-driven cell

The community suggested that the transgender cell should be guided constantly by the members of the community. The suggestion has been accepted by the commission which shall involve transgender members as well as the LGBTQ community in the functioning of the cell, DCW said in the statement.

The commission had announced to set up a transgender cell during its Mahila Suraksha Padyatra in March this year.