Microfinance scheme for transgenders, marginalised women

CHENNAI - In a bid to empower transgenders and marginalised women, a microfinance programme was launched by Tamil Nadu TAI Vizhudugal Federation (TAIVF) here Friday under which 16 groups were given a loan of Rs.50,000 each.

“AIDS and connected issues cannot be addressed in isolation. To ensure long-term impact and sustainability of any programme we realised that transgenders and marginalised women groups have to stand on their feet, become self-reliant and take charge of their lives,” R. Lakshmibai, project director, Tamil Nadu AIDS Initiative (TAI) said.

Speaking at a function, State Minister for Social Welfare Geetha Jeevan said: “The Tamil Nadu government has initiated several steps to improve the quality of lives of transgender community like issuing ration cards and voter identity cards. So far 451 land pattas have been distributed among the transgender community.”

Since its formation last year TAIVF has been working on the microfinance project and has enrolled around 30,000 people.

The members held cultural shows to build a sizeable corpus.

Speaking to IANS, B. Jayashree, a project official, said a total of Rs.2 million has been mobilised and Friday Rs.800,000 was distributed to 16 groups - each getting Rs.50,000.

“The groups in turn would lend money to their members to carry on an economic activity so that the loan and the interest could be paid back to TAIVF,” Jayashree said.

While the Federation will lend money to the self-help groups at 12 percent per annum interest, the members will have to borrow at 24 percent rate.

“The rates are far less than what is charged by other microfinance organisations,” she added.

Having observed Jan 18 as ‘Transgender Day’ for the past six years, the community has now petitioned the government to officially recognize and dedicate the day as Transgender Day.