AAI steps up effort for gender equality

Imphal, 27th November 2019

AAI steps up effort for gender equality

Shri Sanjeev Jindal, the Regional Executive Director, Airports Authority of India, North Eastern Region today inaugurated and took part in a workshop on Gender Equality at Imphal International Airport, with special reference to transgender, which is intended to spread awareness among stakeholders at the Airport on the importance of gender equality irrespective of their sexual orientation.

Swati Bidhan Baruah, an Advocate in the Guwahati High Court who is also the first transgender to be appointed as a legal counsel of Airports Authority of India, spoke in length about the importance of gender equality and the problem of “Transgender and its Exclusion in Empowerment” during the program held at the Conference Hall of Imphal International Airport.

Calling it ‘a historic event’ and addressing the transgender and her colleagues as “examples” for the stigmatized third gender, RED, NER called upon all stakeholders including and not limited to the Airline Operators to accommodate atleast a few transgender men and women into their fold as a show of their support to the movement for the right of the third gender.

Many representing the third gender community also took part in the awareness program.

RED, NER also informed that all airports in North Eastern Region will spearhead the effort for gender equality in a phased manner, which will begin with spread of awareness among all stakeholders at the NER Airports so that there is no discrimination against qualified people on the ground of their sexual orientation, and to be followed by imparting of skills to people belonging to the third gender and lastly help them find a place to integrate in any of the wide-ranging airport services through consistent awareness to the stakeholders. He further informed the gathering that AAI can support/sponsor free training of this category of people at AAI managed training centre.

RED, NER also highlighted the schemes undertaken by Airports Authority of India throughout the length and breadth of Manipur under the AAI Corporate Social Responsibility scheme.

Among others, the 5 crore Trauma Centre project wholly funded by AAI at JNIMS Hospital, numerous toilets constructed at government schools across various districts of Manipur and sports facilities being provided by AAI at Ukhrul, got special mention.

The RED, NER also inaugurated a composite sports facility at the Community Hall including a Snooker Room and a room equipped with Table Tennis Board, Carom Boards and Bicycles for the staff posted at Imphal, inside the AAI Community Hall premises.

(S. Senthil Valavan)
Airport Director
Imphal International Airport