NSDC and Pernod Ricard India launch livelihood skill training for trans persons

Pernod Ricard India, a multinational alcohol beverage company, has partnered with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to launch the ‘Livelihood Creation’ project. The project aims to provide skill training to 240 transgenders in Mumbai, enabling them to become future-ready and employable, and integrate smoothly into society.

The project’s dual objective is to bridge the gender-based skill gap through employment-oriented training and address the stigma, abuse, and discrimination against transgenders. In addition, the project aims to increase stakeholder awareness and establish sustainable livelihood approaches and capacity-building programs for holistic development.

According to the Census 2011 report, limited livelihood options are adversely affecting the socioeconomic well-being of transgenders. They have restricted employment opportunities, and only 65 percent of them find work for more than six months in a year compared to 75 percent in the general population.

Ved Mani Tiwari, COO (officiating CEO), NSDC, stated that the lack of livelihood options contributes to a significant proportion of transgender people engaging in illicit sexual work, which carries HIV  and health-related risks. Tiwari expressed confidence that the collaboration with Pernod Ricard for the project will help build a stigma-free and equal society, enabling the community to have access to better education, employment, and health services and live an honourable life.

Yashika Singh, executive vice president – corporate affairs, communications and S&R, Pernod Ricard India, emphasised the company’s belief in investing and nurturing gender agnostic talent pools to harness the power of human capabilities. According to Singh, creating an ecosystem that is inclusive and conducive is crucial to providing equal access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for people of all societal strata and gender identities.