Creating Inclusion for Transwomen at Work Through Corporate Social Responsibility: The Contributions of Bandhu in Bangladesh

Abstract

Despite their acknowledgement in 2013 as a separate gender and as they have been increasingly referred to as third gender, transwomen in Bangladesh continue to lack employment opportunities and remain among the most vulnerable segments of the population. This chapter puts the spotlight on the crucial contribution of Bandhu to creating transwomen inclusion. Founded in 1996 in Dhaka, Bandhu is a human rights and non-governmental organization whose mission lies in the provision of services for sexual and reproductive health and rights while also ensuring the well-being of the gender diverse population of Bangladesh. This chapter specifically unpacks Bandhu’s contribution by analyzing its leading and implementing function in a corporate social responsibility (CSR) project for transwomen inclusion through the lived experiences of Shima and Dilruba. They are the first two transwomen involved in the CSR project and its primary beneficiaries. By particularly stressing the challenges of Shima and Dilruba after finding employment and Bandhu’s approach to navigate these challenges, this chapter represents an important learning tool for industry practitioners, government professionals, activists, and educators who are interested in human rights and in understanding how to better create inclusion for transwomen at work in South Asia.