Bangladesh Computer Council is providing 72 hours special ICT training to backward third gender community through Social Welfare Society and Coder Trust. Anindita and Ramisa, who were trained in the first batch, presented their experience at the official opening ceremony of the program on Wednesday.
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak inaugurated this program at the ICT Tower in a ceremony presided over by Bangladesh Computer Council Executive Director Ranjit Kumar Sarkar.
Among others, Coders Trust Chairman Aziz Ahmed and Social Welfare Founder Saleh Ahmed spoke.
While speaking as the chief guest at the event, the ICT State Minister expressed hope that people of the third gender will lead in the law-judiciary department, secretariat and political arena too. In the next 2-3 months, Palak highlighted the new initiatives to be taken by the ICT department to bring them forward, including organizing a special smart job fair for the third gender.
He said that Tasnuva Anan Sishir has been serving as a news caster on Baishakhi television after receiving training, he proved that given a little chance, they can contribute more than any man or woman. Today we have only one goal, so that no one is left behind in the future.
He also said that the Prime Minister loves transgender people from his heart and soul. Its big proof is to recognize them in the state. Our beloved leader Sheikh Hasina has recognized the social, state and legal status of mother’s name as well as gender in the citizenship certificate. He referred to them as her children. It has brought a revolutionary change in the outlook of the society.
The state minister said that the mindset of giving equal status to everyone should be developed. We will do smart job fair for third gender in next 2-3 months due to matching of thoughts and mentality. Employers will provide on-spot jobs in this fair. And after showing the weakness of the participants, there is no initiative to make them efficient by training them. We have already conducted 12 such employment fairs. I will do it in 64 districts. Also, a project of Tk. 55 crore will be implemented through Coders Trust. Short, medium and long term training will be provided through this. 5 thousand people of the third gender will be trained and given a grant of 50 thousand taka each. Also, Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship Development Scheme will be taken up for the neglected trans-genders at a cost of 2000 crores.
Palak said that no one will be left behind in Smart Bangladesh, will not be neglected; they will not be left isolated. Everyone will be efficient.
At the end of the program, he took part in a photo session with the trainees.