Berhampur: Dealing with the educational challenges faced by the transgender community, Vice Chancellor of Berhampur University Prof Geetanjali Dash necessitated a comprehensive and nuanced strategy.
Commending the contributions of the transgenders to society, the Vice chancellor reaffirmed the university’s commitment to gender inclusivity.
She also felicitated 15 transgender guests from Berhampur Transgender Association of Ganjam at an event on Thursday.
The PG Department of Journalism and Mass Communication and Sociology Berhampur University, in collaboration with the National Institute of Social Defence organised a sensitisation programme to promote awareness and inclusivity for the transgender community.
The VC also raised the importance of education among transgender communities and commended the efforts put in by all the transgender women present to achieve success.
The event aimed to educate students, faculty members, and the broader university community about the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, and provide a platform for the transgender community to share their experiences.
The programme commenced with the playing of the Kula Sangeet, setting the tone for an enlightening day. Prof Sukant Kumar Tripathy, PGC, emphasised the importance of inclusivity and policy implementation. Sachidananda Nayak, Registrar, praised the effort of organising this workshop at such a grand level with the support of the ministry. Bandita Panda, HoD, Journalism & Mass Communication, stressed the role of media in shaping narratives about the transgender community.
Sadhana Mishra, Social Development Officer In charge, KIMS Hospital, Bhubaneswar, delivered an engaging presentation on the legal rights of transgender individuals under the 2019 Act. She elaborated on the challenges faced by the community, legal protections, and avenues for empowerment.
Following her session, the event became more interactive with a Q&A round, where students from the Departments of Journalism, Law, Economics, and Sociology asked insightful questions about the social and legal struggles of transgender individuals. A discussion forum followed, where participants deliberated on the role of institutions in upholding transgender rights, employment challenges, and healthcare accessibility.
Fifteen transgender guests from Berhampur Transgender Association, who attended the event, shared their personal stories of resilience, discrimination, and acceptance. They narrated their personal experiences, covering themes of identity, family acceptance, job opportunities, strength, willpower, and determination. An open house discussion followed, allowing students and faculty to engage with the speakers.
Bridging the Gap Between Law and Reality Prof Narayan Charan Patnaik delivered a lecture on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019, addressing legal gaps and necessary reforms for better implementation.
The last session Reel Identities and Cinematic Transformation featured the screening of the documentary film “The Transition”, directed by Anwesha Brahma. The documentary poignantly captured the struggles and triumphs of transgender individuals, leaving the audience deeply moved. The screening was followed by a discussion on the representation of transgender people in cinema and media.
