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 while talking to APP.
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.
Pakistan has now declared all transgenders eligible for Ehsaas Kafalat poverty alleviation program in order to ensure a safe & respectable way of mainstreaming trans people in the society. #PakistanMovingForward pic.twitter.com/6vPWwXKuSG
— PTI (@PTIofficial) June 29, 2021
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.
Read more: Sehat Insaf Cards: Pakistan finally owning its Transgender community!
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.
The Ehsaas program, launched on April 1st, 2020, offers financial support to millions of families hit by the pandemic. The Ehsaas Amdan (Income) program involves giving away small “assets” to those who live below the poverty line so that they can earn a living and escape from the shackles of poverty. Local media reports that this is the “biggest and boldest program” ever launched in Pakistan to uplift marginalized people.
“The program has achieved the goal of successfully reaching out to millions of needy families across the country, making it an exceptional effort during this time of crisis,” reports Siasat News.
Courtesy: APP