They said different projects have been taken in scattered manner depending on donor agencies, but these could not produce an optimistic result in the long run.

The seminar titled ' HIV/ AIDS and Hijras: Role of Media and Other Stakeholders' was organised by Bandhu Social Welfare Society (BSWS) at the National Press Club in the city.

The speakers said the hermaphrodite population has been estimated at 10 to 15 thousand in the country and almost 62 of them were found HIV positive.

But HIV intervention programme for this community is negligible and activities are going on only in Dhaka and Rajshahi targeting this community, they added.

BSWS Executive Director Saleh Ahmed said hermaphrodites are highly stigmatised and have been facing discrimination in every sector of the society including in family.

" This stigmatisation doubles when a hermaphrodite is a sex worker or infected with sexually transmitted diseases," he added.

The speakers said hermaphrodites are also void of education, shelter, employment and even healthcare due to social stigma.

They demanded proper education, alternative employment opportunity and lifeskill training for the sustainable development of hermaphrodites.

Terming poverty as the main cause of HIV/ AIDS prevalence among the hermaphrodite community, Dr Khondokar Ejajul Haque of UNFPA said ignorance sprouts from poverty which should be addressed first.

Speaking as special guest, Country Director of Family Health International Robert Kelly said HIV/ AIDS is a major threat to hermaphrodite community and this issue should be taken into state policy level where media could play an important role.

" Very few stories come out in print and electronic media about this marginal population," he said, adding that the media could work in removing stigma from the society about HIV/ AIDS and hermaphrodites.

Representatives from hermaphrodite community said they want to enjoy their human rights and don't want to be called as 'hijra.'

With Executive Director of Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum Khairuzzaman Kamal in the chair, the seminar was also addressed by Supervisor of Shustha Jibon Jaheda Laila, President of Badhon Hijra Sangha Pinki, and General Secretary Joya Sikder.