MUMBAI: Publicis.Sapient, the digital business transformation hub of Publicis Groupe, has launched a short film, #PeopleNotLabels, in partnership with The Humsafar Trust, India’s oldest LGBTQ organisation.
The film aims at building awareness of the constant obstacles encountered by transgender people in Indian society.
Set in the city of Bengaluru, the film gives a brief view into the life of Sowmya Shri, a transwoman and Christy Raj, a transman, uncovering commonalities in which people, irrespective of their gender, love and care about each other. Through unique, unheard stories of the two protagonists, the film reveals the harsh realities of mental and physical trauma, gender dysphoria, accompanied with misguided labelling and appearance-bias that exists against the transgender community across the country.
Publicis.Sapient India managing director Sanjay Menon says, “Our efforts to enable transformation through this philosophy also extends beyond our own organisation into the work we do as part of our corporate social responsibility initiatives. Through TRANScend, a pioneering social impact project, we are working in partnership with the Humsafar Trust to enhance the socio-economic inclusion of trans people into the society in India.”
#PeopleNotLabels is an initial step towards generating awareness about the hardships the 4.8 million individuals, according to 2011 India census, in the community face. Their rights are being largely compromised in the country, leaving them in a state of isolation, within households, communities and institutions.
As per a recent study by the National Human Rights Commission, about 96 per cent of transgenders are denied jobs and are forced to take low paying or undignified work for livelihood; 50-60 per cent of them have never attended schools, and out of those who did, 18 per cent are physically abused, while 62 per cent are verbally abused in school.
The Humsafar Trust CEO Vivek Anand adds, “The transgender communities are among the most marginalised groups of our society. They become victims of violence and discrimination and despite a positive judgement from the Supreme Court in April 2014, they are still not accepted as part of the society. We are yet to traverse a long road towards acceptance and equality of the Trans communities. The TRANScend project is a small step towards bringing TG communities in the fold of mainstream society and creating opportunities that will empower them to lead a life of dignity and respect.”
