Forced To Beg And Sleep At A Bus Stop, Transgender Joyita Is Now A National Lok Adalat Judge!

The world is still to learn acceptance. With pride parades being organised all across the country to educate and embrace all sections of the socitey and transgenders being recognised for their talent and hard work by Kochi metro- 2017 has came bearing plenty of great news for the LGBTQ community.

But there are many cities and rural parts of the country that are still regressive and need light. One among them is the small district of Islampur, West Bengal that has been blessed with the brightness of Joyita Mondal.

Joyita Mondal, a transgender by her former identity, was forced to sleep at bus stop in 2010 when hotels refused to let her in because she was a trans. The bus stop was only 5 minutes from the court where today, she has been appointed as a judge!

Joyita rose like a phoenix from the ashes to become a judge at National Lok Adalat.

 

Joyita has faced a lot bias because of her gender. In 2010 she decided to stand up for herself and countless like her, who deserved to be heard. She was forced to beg on the streets as no one employed her, she toiled hard and started a social service to help others.

She was the founder secretary of Dinajpur Notun Aalo Society.

 

According to TOI, her appointment came under the “learned judges” by the office of the sub-divisional legal services committee of Islampur, Uttar Dinajpur. She arrived in a white car with a red-flag that said, ‘Uttar Dinajpur, courtship on duty’ on July 8, 2017. And that says enough about her journey!

 

To have someone with a strong voice in the system comes with so much joy for the entire transgender community. Abheena Aher, who is the founder of Trans Welfare Equity and Empowerment Trust said –

“This is the first time that a person from the community has got this opportunity. It is not just about empowerment. This is about getting into the system and getting the authority to make a difference.”

Joyita’s journey of several years and uncountable painful experiences have brought her this far. She is an inspiration not only to the community but to everyone around the world who has ever been told that they are not good enough.

You bring a lot of pride to the country and your community, Joyita!

Source: TOI