Kerala Opens State's First University Hostel Exclusively for Transgender Students
In a first for the state, Kerala has opened a university hostel exclusively for transgender students on the Mahatma Gandhi University campus in Kottayam. Inaugurated by the State Social Justice Minister, the facility addresses a long-standing demand and aims to provide safe and inclusive accommodation, which is often a major barrier for transgender individuals pursuing higher education. The move is expected to encourage more students from the community to enroll and complete their studies in a supportive environment.
Unpacked:
According to the All Kerala Higher Education Survey Report of 2021-22, only 114 transgender students were enrolled out of over one million students in various college and university institutions in Kerala, representing about 1.14% of total enrollment.
Transgender students in Kerala have faced significant barriers, including discrimination, misgendering, exclusion by peers and faculty, lack of adequate facilities, and institutional queerphobia. Many have dropped out due to these challenges and the absence of trans-inclusive infrastructure.
Most colleges in Kerala lack transgender-inclusive facilities. While a few, like Kalady University and Maharajas College, have introduced gender-neutral toilets or unisex restrooms, separate hostels for transgender students are extremely rare, making Mahatma Gandhi University's initiative a first for the state.
Kerala's policies for transgender inclusion have often fallen short in practice. Reports indicate failures in implementing basic measures like separate toilets and lack of awareness, monitoring, and financial support. Many transgender individuals face difficulty accessing benefits due to bureaucratic hurdles and insufficient publicity.