By Abid Usman
ISLAMABAD: The inclusion of transgenders in the historical poverty alleviation intervention of Ehsaas will help address the financial needs and empower this neglected segment of society.
“The decision of including the transgender community in the Ehsaas program has been made keeping in view their needs as they are the most vulnerable segment of society†, Dr. Sania Nishtar said.
She informed that the Ehsaas Kafalat program caters the financial needs of the disadvantaged population through providing them monthly stipend of Rs. 2000 along with saving Bank Accounts. Dr. Nishtar said that Transgenders after getting registered for Kafalat program will be able get entitlement for other related programs under the umbrella of Ehsaas too.
The children of Transgenders will be able to get school stipends and entitlement for Ehsaas Nashonuma, access to Ehsaas Interest Free Loan scheme and Ehsaas Amdan program, she added.
The Benazir Income Support Programme board in its 50th meeting held few days back under the Ehsaas framework approved inclusion of all transgenders in Ehsaas Kafaalat programme.
As per the decision, transgenders holding valid Computerized National Identity Cards will be brought into the fold of Ehsaas Kafaalat. Transgenders usually live as a separate community; all transgenders in a household will be declared as Kafaalat beneficiaries.
