‘We Are Helpless, Hopeless and Living in Despair’: Impact of COVID-19 on the Overall Health and Well-being, and Participation of the Transgender Community in India

Abstract

This article investigates the impact of COVID-19 on the health and lived experiences of the transgender community in India. In particular, the study analyses how COVID-19 affects the lives of the transgender community in terms of their interaction with the government policymaking and identity negotiation, livelihoods, access to health resources, availability of gender transition services and status of mental health. The analysis shows that the COVID-19 pandemic and the government strategies to curb the spread of infection have exacerbated the challenges faced by the transgender community in India and threatened their survival. As disease outbreaks traditionally perpetuate gender inequities and increase vulnerabilities borne by marginalised groups, the analysis has implications for purposefully creating appropriate platforms for participation of the transgender community and designing and delivering suitable programs and services to enhance their welling and human dignity.

Gender and social protection and health policies promoted during the COVID-19 pandemic: Global scoping review and future challenges

“…As found in this study, the measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially lockdowns and restrictions and have substantially increased the risk of gender-based violence [ 22 , 27 , 30 , 32 , 36 , 39 , 43 , 50 , 51 , 58 , 61 , 69 , 70 , 75 , 76 ]. Gender and sexual minorities have been severely affected [ 36 , 49 , 56 , 61 , 67 , 70 ].…”

“…These studies also recognized that the crisis is possibly affecting diverse gender identities [ 26 ] and that there is a need for intersectional data collection beyond a binary view [ 23 ] ( Table 1 ). We found a gender-diverse approach in only six papers whose analysis focused on people of different gender identities [ 36 , 49 , 56 , 61 , 67 , 70 ]. We also found studies that only superficially mentioned LGBTIQ+ groups [ 22 , 34 , 39 , 50 , 52 , 54 , 58 , 65 ].…”

“…The implemented policies related to the dimension of asymmetries and inequalities; although they were stated in several texts, they took on a central role in studies specifically addressing gender-based violence (GBV) during the lockdown period ( Table 1 ) [ 22 , 27 , 30 , 32 , 36 , 39 , 43 , 50 , 51 , 58 , 61 , 69 , 70 , 75 , 76 ]. Difficulties in accessing essential services by survivors of GBV, both because they were unable to travel or seek help and because services were reduced during this period, were also reported in these studies [ 22 , 27 , 30 , 32 , 43 , 58 , 76 ].…”

“…Rieger et al [ 22 ] enunciated elements related to gender diversity, indicating that most survivors of gender-based violence are women and gender-diverse people. Different studies in Brazil, India, and Indonesia indicated psychological distress or mental health problems in gender-diverse persons during the pandemic, social distancing, and lockdown periods [ 49 , 61 , 67 , 70 ].…”

“…The pandemic’s consequences for diversity groups are varied, with an increase in inequities and LGTBI-phobia presence [ 49 ]. Studies in Brazil and India [ 49 , 61 , 70 ] have shown that it exacerbated stigmatization and marginalization in already marginalized groups [ 61 ] such as gender-diverse persons.…”