New Delhi: The Centre has formulated India’s first equal opportunities policy for the transgender community, which prohibits disclosure of gender identity of a transgender without consent.
The ministry of social justice and empowerment has notified Equal Opportunities Policy for Transgender Persons to ensure fair treatment of transgender individuals and create an environment free from discrimination, harassment and bias at the workplace. The policy has been circulated to state governments and chief secretaries have been asked to ensure implementation.
According to the policy, a transgender employee will have the right to choose their pronoun, gender and a chosen name, and every organisation will address them with the chosen names in all workplace communication. These will mandatorily reflect in all organisational communication, email addresses and other official documents. The policy has emphasised on the need for maintaining confidentiality of gender identity. Employees have been forbidden from disclosing information on gender identity of a transgender person. Information related to gender identity will be treated with utmost confidentiality. Employees are expected to respect the privacy of their colleagues and refrain from disclosing any such information without explicit consent, says the policy.It lays down that in case of any violation, the department will initiate inquiry and ensure action. The policy also prohibits all forms of bullying based on gender identity. Harassment or bullying based on gender identity is strictly prohibited. Any reported incident will be promptly and thoroughly investigated, and appropriate corrective actions will be taken, it says. Every department will have a grievance redressal mechanism to address violations. The policy also lays down that every workplace will provide infrastructural facilities for transgender employees. These will include unisex toilets and amenities like hygiene products, so that transgender employees can effectively discharge their duties . The policy has been formulated in alignment with Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules 2020 notified by government in September 2023. “,
Page Source : The Economic Times
