HÀ NỘI — The National Assembly (NA) is expected to discuss a draft law protecting the legal status and rights of transgenader people, both those who have undertaken sex reassignment surgery and who have not, by 2020.

The country’s estimated 300,000 transgender people are still vulnerable to discrimination and harassment, meaning the NA must feature Transgender Law to its law making programme in 2020, representatives from Ministry of Health (MoH) and Việt Nam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) stated at a conference on transgender rights yesterday.

Speaking at the event, Nguyễn Huy Quang, head of MoH’s Legal Department, emphasised the legal and administrative challenges the community faces due to a lack of recognition of their gender identity.

Their access to healthcare services including medical intervention, hormonal therapy and psychological support is still limited.

The draft law on transgender rights, which is set to be submitted to the NA for review in 2020, is a preparation to pass a law that addresses those issues.

A study on transgender people’s access to education, healthcare and employment conducted by VUSTA in collaboration with Hà Nội University of Public Health highlights discrimination and risks transgender people suffer at schools, workplaces or their communities.

Significantly, the study revealed 67.5 per cent of surveyed people suffer psychological issues while more than 60 per cent admitted to having attempted suicide.

“We hope that the study can provide evidence to promote the ratification and implementation of the law of transgender, helping the community access education and employment opportunities and prohibiting violations and discrimination toward transgender people,” said Hồ Thị Hiền, head of the research group.

In November, 2015, Việt Nam made a breakthrough by recognising transgender people and allowing sex changes on legal documents.

The amended Civil Code which took effect from January, 2017, allows transgender people who have received sex assignment surgery to register as their new gender. — VNS