Social Exclusion and MDGs: Transgenders Call for Action 25th August NGO Hall

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

As all of you know there have been some very *some very positive

developments regarding transgenders in Karnataka due to their long struggle and

support from media, society, political leaders, progressive organisations and

others. From universities opening their doors to transgenders, to the Chief

Minister announcing that welfare measures will be put in place for them - a lot

has been happening.

The time and place is right to take stock.

In this context we (Aneka, Sangama and Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum) as

part of, and with support from, the *Wada Na Todo Abhiyan *are happy to invite

you for a unique event.

It is a *Tribunal on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and

Transgenders. ***

*Date: 25/08/2010 Wednesday*

*Venue: NGO Hall, *Cubbon Park, Opp. MS. Building

*Time: 10 am to 5.30 pm (Concluding session 4.30-5.30 pm)*

This is a definite first and we would like you to be part of it.

The day long meeting is an attempt to look at the promises our governments make

internationally and the extent to which these have been translated to reality .

We are seeking to look at 3 of the 8 MDGs (Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger,

Promote gender equality and empower women, and Combat HIV/AIDS) from the

viewpoint of *Transgenders (Jogappas, Hijras, Kothis, F2Ms)*.

**

*The objectives of the Tribunal include

- Usually transgender issues are spoken only in the context of HIV

prevention. This is a chance for us to talk of a range of other issues that

affect transgenders and to share our experiences and provide an alternative

perspective on a range of issues– from the view point of transgenders.

- This is one opportunity for many NGOs and other groups around the

country to get an understanding on the situation of transgenders as almost all

development documents are silent on transgender issues.

- This is a platform by which we can clearly spell out our demands

and build support for them with a larger audience

- It is a chance to link issues of transgenders to other bigger

happenings at the national and international level

*Agenda*

It will be a one day programme and the tentative agenda is

A round of introduction and background to the Hearing

Three sessions – one on each of the MDG that are the focus of this Hearing.

In each session *5 or 6 witnesses from the transg**ender communities will share

their testimonies *and there will be *one expert witness for each session.

(Shakun Mohini, on poverty, Elavarthi Manohar on HIV and **Sudha Sitharaman on

gender)

* Eminent Panelists *in each session will deliver their observations and

recommendations

*A concluding session where we summarise the main issues that have been voiced

and clearly place the demands of the transgenders.*

Be there!

In solidarity

Shubha

On behalf of Aneka, Sangama and Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum

Shubha Chacko

e-mail:<shubha.chacko@...>