In an effort to empower the transgender community and provide avenues for self-employment, a 15-day skill development training programme on wall painting and house coloring was inaugurated on Wednesday at Loitang Khunou in Imphal West.
Organised by the All Trans Man Association (ATMA) in collaboration with CADAP, Makers Foundation, and supported by AKZONOBEL, the initiative aims to address the challenges faced by transgender individuals, particularly in light of the current situation in Manipur, where many have lost their jobs and are struggling with unemployment.
With a total of 20 participants, including transgender men and women from various valley districts across Manipur, the training programme seeks to equip individuals with practical skills that can lead to sustainable livelihoods.
Speaking to the media, ATMA’s general secretary L Sopin emphasised the importance of such initiatives in fostering self-sufficiency within the transgender community.
“The prevailing circumstances in Manipur have left many transgender individuals jobless, prompting the need for initiatives like this to enable them to stand on their own feet through self-employment,” said Sopin.
Highlighting the broader objective of the programme, Sopin mentioned that upon completion of the training, participants will have the opportunity to apply their newly acquired skills in practical settings, thereby increasing their chances of securing employment or engaging in entrepreneurial ventures.
Furthermore, Sopin assured that similar programmes will be undertaken in the future to ensure the sustained empowerment of the transgender community and foster self-sufficiency among its members.
