Transgenders, who are striving hard to find a place in mainstream society, will soon turn entrepreneurs in Kerala with the launch of a taxi service which will be owned and operated by them, a first in
Transgenders, who are striving hard to find a place in mainstream society, will soon turn entrepreneurs in Kerala with the launch of a taxi service which will be owned and operated by them, a first in the state. After unveiling the first transgender policy in the country with an aim to end societal stigma towards the transgender community, the state government is now getting ready to launch “Gender Taxi”, owned and operated by transgenders.
The objective of “G-Taxi” programme is to provide a better means of livelihood for the minority group and to ensure non-discriminatory treatment for them in society.
The state-run Gender Park, under the department of social justice, has drawn up a programme to roll out “Gender Taxi” on the model of its successful all-women cab network She-Taxi.
If She-Taxi has targeted mainly women commuters, “G-Taxi” is envisaged as an “equality taxi”, in which all travellers, irrespective of their gender, can avail service.
If everything goes as planned, the first fleet of G-Taxi cabs will be rolled out in the state this March.
State minister for social justice M.K. Muneer said the G-Taxi is part of the government’s first step towards the practical implementation of the policy unveiled in November last year.
“We have unveiled the transgender policy with an aim to improve the life and living conditions of TG community. The G-Taxi is the first major step as part of the implementation of the TG Policy,” Mr Muneer said.
Gender Park CEO Dr P.T.M. Sunish said the project is expected to promote entrepreneurship among TGs and provide them a better means for livelihood.
“We are hopeful that the project will help them fetch not only a better income but also a good opportunity to mingle with the mainstream society. People who avail the service of G-taxi can interact with them which will help change their mindset towards TGs,” Mr Sunish said.
Mr Sunish said a number of transgenders, on the sidelines of the recent International Gender Conference held here last year, had requested the minister to launch an entrepreneurial programme for them on the model of She-Taxi.
They had also requested to entrust it with the Gender Park as it has successfully implemented the She-Taxi network envisaged for the empowerment of women.
Like the She-Taxi, G-Taxi cabs will also have advanced security features, including GPS.
“The business model of G-Taxi is being prepared in a manner in which more government funds can be utilised for it,” the official said.
A first round of meeting with transgender members was over and more detailed discussions would be held before the implementation of the programme.
“The government is committed to implementing the TG policy. We will try to rectify all flaws which happened in the implementation of She-Taxi and try to bring out the G-Taxi project in a better way,” Mr Sunish added.
Mr Nawaz, a transgender who lives in Ernakulam, said he was happy that the government has initiated such a programme for the TG community.
“I am more happy that the government is implementing such a programme. I consider it as an acceptance of the TG community. It has been extremely difficult for us to find a decent means for livelihood,” he said.
Mr Nawaz, however, said he had concerns about the people’s attitude towards them as G-Taxi drivers.
