The Rights of the Hijras or Third Genders in Bangladesh

Abstract

Nothing appears more natural, immutable, or desirable to us than the division of mortal humans into two biological genders, man and woman, and two sexes, male and female, without any reminder. The division of people into two genders occurs at birth, when the sex assignment is male or female, and this gender assignment is thought to be permanent. The idea of sex and gender as a system of two opposed and non-changeable kinds, male and female, masculine and feminine, is common sense as well as the most advanced social science. Most of us find it difficult to consider any alternative to this understanding of sex and gender, yet a cross-cultural viewpoint shows that certain societies have more than two genders. Alternate solution or third gender roles that are neither male nor female have already been recorded amongst Omanis of the Saudi Arabian Peninsula, various Native American tribes, Tahiti, New Guinea, and India's Hijras.