Equality and justice, for and beyond queer and trans community

Source- The post is based on the article “Equality and justice, for and beyond queer and trans community” published in “The Indian Express” on 5th April 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Vulnerable sections of the populations

Relevance– Issues related to discriminated sections of the society

News– The article deals with issues of equality and justice for discriminated communities.

What is progress achieved in India on rights of vulnerable communities?

In Naz Foundation v Govt of NCT (2009), the Delhi HC decriminalized homosexual sex between adults. The Supreme Court struck down Section 377 in 2018.

Today, the government is proactive in HIV/AIDS sensitization. The National AIDS Program has been a crucial step forward. It allows innumerable citizens to have access to free information, medicines, and healthcare.

What is needed for true equality and justice of vulnerable communities?

First, people-first policies are required. People are not at the center of government interventions. Implementation of policies and laws continues to be a challenge. Tackling this requires a change in strategy. There is a need for reimagining policy, law, and interventions.

There is a need to focus on values of empathy, love and respect. Children should be taught these values. These should be prompted as core values in our society.