Transcending Dualities: A Gigamap on factors influencing life of a Trans individual in India by National Institute of Design, Bengaluru

The transgender community is one of the oldest communities in India. It comprises of Hijras, eunuchs, Kothis, Aravanis, etc (M. Michelraj, 2015). All members of these subgroups face severe discrimination and harassment in all respects in contemporary India; having been subjected to unfair treatments like verbal abuse, physical and sexual violence; and victimization in multiple settings like family, educational institutions, workplace, health care settings, and public spaces.
The research project aimed to understand and represent the challenges faced by the trans community in India and explore possibilities of design intervention in the system. According to UN Sustainable Development Goals 5 - Gender Equality, many developing and developed countries have raised concerns about gender-related inequalities at various levels validating the relevance of the project.

As an outcome of the project, the gigamap serves as a concise and comprehensive visual document on trans-individuals in India aimed at educating the target audience, including parents, teachers, educational institutions, policymakers, designers, changemakers, and the general public.

The core of the gigamap revolves around the life journeys of the trans- individual studied while mapping their emotional states. It also encapsulates our findings around gender dysphoria, coming out, and transitioning, ensuring readers gain in-depth knowledge on the pivotal points of their lives.
It directly connects to the synthesised causal map emphasising the key factors influencing the life of a trans person in India. This section also incorporates illustrations bubbles as empathy builders, narrating everyday emotions shared by the community.
The last section gives a system overview in the form of loops and a stakeholder map, highlighting groups of individuals with high impact and influence. It concludes with nine areas for intervention and encourages the viewer to make a difference in their own spheres of influence.