আলো

Bangladesh is home to almost half a million-transgender people. For decades this transgender (Hijra) and differently-abled communities has been neglected. Even with governments intervention if they are not included in our socio-economic environment no matter how progressive their recognition sounds, they will always be excluded.

Our solution includes training this two communities with skills that are essential for non-traditional export items (handicraft, paper-products, wigs) and then use both technology and collaboration to export these items. Substantial amount of export money comes from non-traditional items (Export promotion bureau).

SDG- 1 (No poverty) and SDG- 8 (Decent work and Economic Growth): Hijra and differently abled Communities are under poverty line, with these opportunities they will be economically free and will also contribute to the country’s economic growth.

SDG- 10 (Reduced Inequalities): With the solution marginal communities will include in our country’s workforce. Therefore, the gap in socio-economic inequalities will be reduced.

In Bangladesh, transgender people are looked down upon as though they are not human beings and are treated brutally. Although the government of Bangladesh has recognized transgender people as 'third gender', it is not implemented in most places. Some Asian and South Asian countries have laws to protect their rights as the third gender group. Bangladeshi society have taboo that bounds them either to assimilate and hide their gender crisis or to live life as marginalized group.

According to a survey, there were 10000 of whom were registered as third gender. Since many of them are scared, they try to opt not to register. Hijras earned living by singing, dancing, others supplement their earnings by begging or selling sex. Sexual minorities do not find much acceptance in the society and often experience verbal or other abuse.

For transgender people, this climate of fear is exacerbated by social marginalization and discrimination as well as legal impediments to accessing employment, health care, and education, including the absence of a mechanism for changing one’s gender on legal documents.

• Social Rejection, Marginalization,
• Unemployment,
• Violence, Criminalization, Trans-phobia,
• Lack of Recognition,
• Discrimination in Health Systems 

The murder of two LGBT rights activists, Xulhaz Mannan and Tonoy Mahbub, in April 2016 had a long-term chilling effect. In the aftermath of the murders and weak government response, many LGBT activists went into hiding while others permanently fled Bangladesh. The widespread fear has made it difficult for trans men to even arrange meetings and improve their conditions themselves.

The Transgender people face dire situations like Discrimination, Disrespect, Prostitution, Rejection and all sorts of abuse. But considering all aspects, going deep in the situation, we find that the primary reason behind all this is lack of skills from unemployment for the scarce availability of education. So, what we are planning is we look in their skills and try to cover up the lacking at their education. If we can do that, then we can change the fate from such condition.

We are planning on providing them with training such to community where the focus shifts around the non-traditional items. We will equip the abled person in the community with skills necessary for creating the flow of importing and exporting similar items and starting a business flow.

We will mainly train the Community people (Hijra and Differently abled) about non-traditional items. Such as handicraft, paper product, wig etc. We will provide them with ample training so that after a period they can start making product on their own. After that we will sell this product by using collaborations and through online website. Even in online we can use multiple partnerships. There is a reason for choosing non-traditional export items.

Bangladeshi export is largely focused on RMG market (almost 80%). Government is trying for diversified export opportunities. According to Fiscal year 2017-18, Bangladesh exported $14.48 million worth handicraft, $56.87 million form paper and paper-based products (Daily SUN).

Handicrafts

We chose handicraft industry because its largely labor intensive and the artisans who will train them are easy to find. Our handicraft products will include famous ones like Nakshikatha, Jamdani and the traditional ones like woodwork, knitting, clay craft and stone craft.

Paper based products

It is a capital-intensive industry and the industry has seen an upward shift in terms of export. Our paper-based products will be paper bag, paperboard and shipping sacks.

Process

At first, we will contact multiple artisans to provide training for our selected marginal communities. In the training phase samples will be made before going to final production.

Meanwhile we will try to collaborate with multiple foreign and local brands by showing them the samples. We will even have an E-commerce site form where any buyers can buy our product.

Now what will really set us apart form normal revenue generating organisation is that a portion of the profit will go back to the marginal community for their development as in Healthcare, Education, Better living space.

Our packaging will be different because we will run cause related campaign. In every packaging there will be information about the community who made this product and a statement will be there mentioning ‘For every product you will buy a portion of the money will go back to their community development’. 

We are applying to tiger challenge to get a platform from where our team will be mentored and be ready to tackle the problems of tomorrow.