22 April 2008

JAKARTA, UNFPA Representative Dr. Zahidul Huque visits on Tuesday transgender community living in a slump area in Pasar Gembrong, Cipinang, East Jakarta. The visit came after holding a discussion with an NGO representing transgender communities, Yayasan Srikandi Sejati with an aim to understand their needs and vulnerabilities to be addressed through UNFPA youth programme. With UNFPA’s assistance, the NGO empowers about 5,000 transgenders scattered across Jakarta with adolescent reproductive health education, including HIV/AIDS prevention. With low education and limited skills, 90% of the transgenders that the NGO supports work as street singers and sex workers, while the remaining few work as hair dresser, manicurist and masseuses at beauty parlors. “Most of the transgenders migrated to Jakarta from various provinces fleeing rejections and discriminations from family members and communities in their hometowns,” said Lulu, an activist from Yayasan Srikandi Sejati. Through its youth programme, UNFPA conducts advocacy efforts for favorable policies, HIV/AIDS prevention, life-skill educations aiming at empowering youth and marginalized groups to exercise their sexual and reproductive health rights.


 For further information please contact:
 Maria Endah Hulupi
 UNFPA Communications Officer: 0812 1115 116