Mangaluru : The psycho-emotional crisis experienced by transgenders is not understood by the larger society, said School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, vice principal Jenis Mary.

She was presiding over the Transgender Day programme organised by Parivarthan Trust at Roshni Nilaya in Mangaluru on Wednesday.

Stating that the society needs to be more sensitive about transgenders’ issues, Jenis said that there is a need to touch upon the core issues faced by the community. This needs lot of courage and conviction, she said and called upon the society to stand by the transgender community, which is a vulnerable section.

Mangaluru City Corporation Mayor Kavitha Sanil inaugurated the programme and said that encouragement should be provided to transgenders to be self-reliant. “Organisations should come forward to provide them job opportunities. One has to remember that the third genders are also human beings and are creations of God,” she stressed.

Founder and Life Trustee of Parivarthan Charitable Trust Violet Pereira in her keynote address, said, “The Trust was started on August 30, 2016, for the welfare of the Transgenders. In our country, we celebrate Father’s day, Mother’s day, Children’s day, Valentine’s day, etc., but we have never thought about transgenders who are also humans and have the same feelings like us. They too need to be recognized and encouraged for their talents by society. Most of the transgenders do not get the opportunity to come out and mix with other people in the society due to certain barriers and the mindset of the people. To bring awareness to the students who are into social service, the Parivarthan Charitable Trust assists the BSW and MSW students to do projects on the life of transgenders which will help in bringing a change in the minds of the students as well as the society. Together with the students, we decided to celebrate the ‘Transgender’s Day’, and we’ll celebrate every year and recognize them for their achievements”.

Kajol, a transgender, who is working as a project director in a private firm, was felicitated on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Kajol said that she aspires to become an IAS officer.

Prizes were distributed to students who won the poster-designing and collage competitions on the themes transgenders’ problems and their empowerment.

Parivarthan Trust chairperson Violet Pereira delivered the keynote address. Trust treasurer Shrinidhi, School of Social Work Roshni Nilaya registrar Laxminarayana Bhat and programme coordinator Anasuya Shenoy were present.