Economic and social inclusion of person with disability and transgender through skills development program of BRAC: A qualitative study

Abstract

This article is based on the Skills Training for Advancing Resources (STAR) project for the youth initiative of the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) in Bangladesh. The objective was to explore the consequences of social and economic inclusion of this project for the persons with disability (PWDs) and transgender (TG) youth people. The research focused on how inclusive programmatic interventions created multidimensional impacts among the “marginalized” and “excluded” PWD and TG youths at the grassroots level. This study adopted a qualitative approach where in‐depth case interviews and observation were applied for data collection. PWD and TG graduates, master craft persons (MCPs), employers, and program staff members were the participants in this study. Results found that PWD and TG youths faced vulnerabilities and social stigma in their lives and livelihood trajectories due to their physical inability and low level of social dignity. The STAR project has a certain level of contribution to the livelihoods of PWD and TG people, where these helped them to gain their social, cultural, and economic capital. Findings would be an important guideline for policymakers, NGO managers, and human rights workers.

Initiatives for workplace inclusion of sexual and gender minority groups: insights from a rapid systematic review

“…Our evidence base also suggests the impact of policies can be strengthened when they: § promote equal opportunities and employment benefits for SGM people 31 , § improve organisational LGBT competency 31 , § strengthen anti-discrimination norms 26 , § increase visibility of senior LGBT employees 26 , § provide inclusive language guidance 26,32 , § publicly display support for SGM groups 29, 33 , and § jointly leverage government and workplaces to deliver programs 34 .…”