Focusing on Transgender Livelihood: A Study Tour to Sri Lanka

In a focused effort to enhance social inclusion and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for the transgender (Hijra) community, the Department of Social Services embarked on a key international learning mission. Management and Training International (MTI) Ltd. successfully managed the ‘Exposure Visit on Transgender Community Livelihood Development Program of Hijras in Sri Lanka.’

From February 25 to March 1, 2018, a nine-member delegation traveled to Sri Lanka to study the country's policies and grassroots initiatives aimed at empowering marginalized communities. The program was designed to provide a comprehensive view, from national policy to local implementation.

The core of the program involved direct engagement with Sri Lanka's social service infrastructure. The participants visited District Social Welfare Offices in Galle and Kandy, where they held productive experience-sharing sessions with local officials. These grassroots-level interactions provided practical insights into the day-to-day operation of social welfare activities.

To understand the high-level policy framework, the delegation, including the Director General of Social Services, visited the Ministry of Social Empowerment and Welfare. This meeting was crucial for understanding the national strategies and legal frameworks that support community livelihood programs. The tour was enriched with a visit to the historic Kandyan Heritage site, offering cultural context to the nation's social fabric.

This immersive study tour provided the officials with valuable insights and practical models for developing and enhancing livelihood programs for the Hijra community in Bangladesh. MTI is proud to have facilitated this important exchange, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable society.