Improving justice for transgender persons : Malta as a diverse society

Abstract

The raison d’etre behind this dissertation is to understand better the phenomenon of transgenderism in the eye of a modern society who aims to be inclusive. Even though Malta has fully recognised transgender identities, legislation and policy seem to focus on the whole LGBTIQ spectrum with less attention being given to transgender children and transgender elderly. Children asking to live as the opposite gender should feel safe and supported. Since they would be undergoing a complicated social transition, their fundamental freedoms should be guaranteed to ensure full inclusion in society. Their parents, who would be experiencing obstacles, should be given social and governmental help so they are able to provide them with a proper upbringing. Educational institutions should be welcoming to all students, including transgender pupils, who would need extra attention. Transgender elderly may suffer from loneliness and anxiety due to their situation, being without a social community that supports them. Transgender individuals are reluctant to seek and avoid healthcare services including clinics, hospitals and residential homes due to fear of discrimination. This network is ill-equipped to provide competent and specific services to transgender persons and to address their unique needs. National institutions and its law enforcers also lack skills on how to deal with transgender citizens, so training must be given to make these public officials sensitive. The focus should be on education to raise awareness among the population and to reduce inequalities from all levels of society; from the three main organs of the state to the individual. Education can bring the change needed to leave a better society for future generations where legislation and policy reflect a just society in which equality reigns.