HF01-11: The History of the Hijra: The Third Gender in the Indian Subcontinent
Friday, May 3, 2024 3:42 PM to 3:49 PM · 7 min. (US/Central)
206
Abstract
History of Urology Forum
Information
Full Abstract and Figures
Author Block
Shirin Razdan*, New York, NY
Introduction
The hijra community of South Asia is a group of individuals who identify as transgender, intersex, or gender-nonconforming in some way and live in a distinct community often separate from cisgender society. They form familial relationships in the guru-chela system, or mentor-mentee. In this abstract we aim to trace the history of the hijra community.
Methods
A review of PubMed citations and Google search was performed to find publications detailing the history of the hijra community in South Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
Results
The first documentation of hijra identity was described during the Delhi Sultanate (1226-1526) and Mughal empire (1526-1707), and hijras played roles from manual laborers to military commanders and political advisors. During the British colonial era of the 1800s, anti-hijra laws were passed, including the Criminal Tribes Act (1871), which resulted in registration, monitoring, and stigmatization of the group, including forbidding hijras from having children. The Indian government recognized hijras as a third sex in 1994, although still mandating gender declaration prior to voting in general elections or running for office. In April 2014, the Indian Supreme Court declared transgender to be the third official gender in Indian law with the ruling National Legal Services Authority vs. Union of India. This ruling entitled hijras representation in government education and jobs, similar to social reservations for “low caste” people.
Conclusions
The history of the hijra community of the Indian subcontinent is over 800 years old. They have experienced discrimination and isolation, including limited access to education and healthcare, resulting in higher rates of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, than the cisgender population. Recent government policy to acknowledge hijras as a third gender (transgender) has led to marginal increase in access to schooling and jobs. Pervasive discrimination still exists, and hijras have yet to assimilate in mainstream society.
Source Of Funding
None
Author Block
Shirin Razdan*, New York, NY
Introduction
The hijra community of South Asia is a group of individuals who identify as transgender, intersex, or gender-nonconforming in some way and live in a distinct community often separate from cisgender society. They form familial relationships in the guru-chela system, or mentor-mentee. In this abstract we aim to trace the history of the hijra community.
Methods
A review of PubMed citations and Google search was performed to find publications detailing the history of the hijra community in South Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
Results
The first documentation of hijra identity was described during the Delhi Sultanate (1226-1526) and Mughal empire (1526-1707), and hijras played roles from manual laborers to military commanders and political advisors. During the British colonial era of the 1800s, anti-hijra laws were passed, including the Criminal Tribes Act (1871), which resulted in registration, monitoring, and stigmatization of the group, including forbidding hijras from having children. The Indian government recognized hijras as a third sex in 1994, although still mandating gender declaration prior to voting in general elections or running for office. In April 2014, the Indian Supreme Court declared transgender to be the third official gender in Indian law with the ruling National Legal Services Authority vs. Union of India. This ruling entitled hijras representation in government education and jobs, similar to social reservations for “low caste” people.
Conclusions
The history of the hijra community of the Indian subcontinent is over 800 years old. They have experienced discrimination and isolation, including limited access to education and healthcare, resulting in higher rates of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, than the cisgender population. Recent government policy to acknowledge hijras as a third gender (transgender) has led to marginal increase in access to schooling and jobs. Pervasive discrimination still exists, and hijras have yet to assimilate in mainstream society.
Source Of Funding
None
Sessions
History of Urology Forum
206