In India, transgender individuals face significant challenges in securing employment and combating workplace discrimination. Despite being legally recognised as a third gender since a landmark 2014 Supreme Court ruling, social stigma, discrimination, and limited job opportunities often lead to exclusion from mainstream workplaces and economic opportunities. PeriFerry is empowering transgender individuals through education, skills training, and job placement in inclusive work environments.
Pioneering change: The PeriFerry way
PeriFerry is empowering transgender individuals by addressing significant challenges in securing employment and combating workplace discrimination. Despite being legally recognised as a third gender since a landmark 2014 Supreme Court ruling, transgender individuals in India often face social stigma, discrimination, and limited job opportunities, leading to exclusion from mainstream workplaces and economic opportunities.
PeriFerry is empowering transgender individuals: But who are they?
PeriFerry aims to address these challenges by empowering transgender individuals through education, skills training, and job placement in inclusive work environments. Inspired by her experiences and conversations with transgender colleagues during her tenure at Goldman Sachs in Bangalore, Neelam Jain, the founder, recognised the urgent need for initiatives supporting transgender employment.
“The socio-economic disparity for transgender people in India is stark,” says Jain. “Creating meaningful employment opportunities is crucial to fostering inclusivity and breaking systemic barriers.”
Empowering through education and skill development
Since its inception, PeriFerry is empowering transgender individuals by training over 250 transgender individuals and facilitating 90 job placements across Chennai and Bangalore. The initiative offers comprehensive programs. These programs include free English language courses, computing skills, and entrepreneurship training. Moreover, these initiatives equip participants with the skills needed to thrive in competitive job markets.
Recognising technology’s transformative potential, PeriFerry recently launched specialised software development training programs in collaboration with ThoughtWorks. The courses cover fundamental programming languages. It aims to equip participants with skills essential for careers in tech.
PeriFerry’s comprehensive services for transgender workplace inclusion
PeriFerry is an organisation that is revolutionising workplace inclusion for transgender individuals across India. They are doing it through a range of specialised services and initiatives:
- Mapping Job Roles to Transgender Hiring: PeriFerry provides tailored support and guidance to align job roles with the skills and aspirations of transgender individuals.
- Expanding Transgender Job Seeker Database: Maintaining an expansive database facilitates effective matchmaking between employers and qualified transgender candidates nationwide.
- Rigorous Screening and Onboarding: In-house HR professionals conduct meticulous screening and offer comprehensive onboarding support, ensuring a smooth transition into new roles.
- Post-Placement Follow-Ups: Ensuring sustainability, PeriFerry conducts follow-ups for six months post-placement to provide ongoing support and address any challenges.
- Lateral Placements and Career Growth: Beyond entry-level roles, PeriFerry advocates for and facilitates lateral placements to enhance career progression opportunities.
- Inclusive Programs and Workshops: PeriFerry organises a variety of programs and sessions designed to foster sustained inclusion and engagement across the organisation’s levels.
- Sensitisation and Training: Conducts sensitisation workshops and classroom programs co-facilitated by LGBTQIA+ specialists. It ensures organisational readiness and understanding from support staff to leadership.
- Employee Engagement Initiatives: Immersive engagement programs designed and implemented by PeriFerry promote a culture of diversity and inclusion within workplaces.
- Customisable E-Learning Programs: Self-paced e-learning programs with simple licensing options enable organisations to integrate inclusive practices seamlessly.
- Consultation Services: Offering consultation to improve internal and external communications. It includes inclusive job descriptions, job postings, HR communications, and LGBTQIA+ policy drafting.
- Policy Development and Implementation: PeriFerry assists in drafting LGBTQIA+ policies. It covers grievance redressal, Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH), and employee benefits.
- Infrastructure Audit and Recommendations: Conduct audits and provide recommendations for LGBTQIA+ inclusive infrastructure. It ensures that physical spaces are welcoming and supportive.
- Inclusion Surveys: Designs, implements, and reviews LGBTQIA+ inclusion surveys. It helps organisations gauge and improve their inclusivity efforts based on employee feedback.
PeriFerry’s holistic approach addresses immediate employment needs. It also fosters long-term cultural transformation within organisations. That promotes equitable opportunities and a more inclusive society.
The final thoughts on PeriFerry empowering transgender individuals
PeriFerry is empowering transgender individuals in India. Their efforts demonstrate the transformative power of education, skills development, and inclusive employment practices. Through its initiatives, PeriFerry empowers individuals economically. Moreover, it also fosters a more equitable and accepting society.
As more organisations embrace inclusive hiring practices and support initiatives like PeriFerry, the path towards true equality and opportunity for transgender individuals in India’s workforce becomes more achievable.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content, which we define broadly to include media, policies, law, and history—encompassing all elements that influence the lives of women and gender-queer individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.
