Kochi to get a helpdesk for trans people
The Hindu
The proposed help desk will function between 10 a.m and 5 p.m., and will be managed by a seven-member team, comprising of a social worker, councillor, doctor and medical officer among others.
In a first of its kind initiative, the district social justice department in association with the Ernakulam Welfare Services, Sahrudaya, is gearing up to set up an exclusive helpdesk for the transgender community in the city.
The facility is likely to turn operational at Ernakulam North next month. It assumes significance in the wake of three suicides among the transgender community in the district since March this year. A partner of the victims had also died by suicide.
"The community needs individual attention on a daily basis and psycho-social intervention to address the diverse issues they face. They also need support to secure various benefits, including transgender carda, and to deal with atrocities like alleged fake cases foisted on the community members," said K. K. Subair, district social justice officer.