The All Manipur Nupi Maanbi Association (AMANA), while strongly condemning alleged discriminating and humiliating upon a transwoman at her work place, has demanded the implementation The Transgender Persons (Protection and Rights) Rules 2020 effectively in the state.
Addressing the media at the Manipur Press Club on Wednesday, a transwoman Thoibi (name changed) said that she has been working as a teacher at IPS Canchipur from August 7, 2022 with an assurance of transgender friendly environment. Unfortunately, the school headmaster has allegedly started passing discriminatory comments based on her dressing styles and gender identity.
However, she said she ignored all such instances that can be considered as mental harassment and rather focused on her profession as she joined teaching after completing Masters in Literature and clearing NET in 2019 too.
She continued that on November 14, the headmaster called her and instructed her not to mingle with female colleagues, not to use female washrooms and advised her to use male washrooms. All those kinds of orders or instructions really demoralised her, she said.
“This kind of attitude of the school headmaster or principal shows that there is no respect for transgender community. It is unfortunate that this unwanted incident happened, leading to suppression of the transgender community,” she said. Further stating that the school authority hasn’t issued any termination order nor has she submitted any resignation letter, she said her main concern is about the failure to provide transgender-friendly environment.
Secretary of AMANA, Santa said that transgender community are continuously facing invisible torture or assault which they don’t get chance to catch the moment. As such they are unable to approach police authority when they want to complain for their inability to produce evidence.
Gender attack at academic places like school is very unfortune, it is a great setback to trans community as this kind of instances will bring lot of negative impact whereby suppressing their capability and abilities, Santa said while appealing to the state government to implement Transgender Rule 2020 efficiently. This rule focuses on welfare of transgender community promoting equality and inclusive development, she said.
