Transwoman shows grit to lead dignified life as forest guard

Facing hardships and torment early on due to her sexual orientation, Vijaya Vasave has not only overcome obstacles but shown grit to lead a dignified life by becoming the first trans woman forest guard in Maharashtra.

Vasave (30) had been mocked and abused by people, leading her to attempt suicide three times. However, after she acquired scientific knowledge about her sexuality and received her family's support, she mustered the courage to undergo the gender transition from a male to a trans woman.

From then on, it was no looking back for her, and she cleared a competitive exam to secure employment in the state's Forest Department recently.

"I am happy now that I am treated with dignity and respect by my family, village and at my workplace," Vasave told PTI over the phone on Wednesday.

Hailing from a tribal community native of the Satpuda mountain range in Nandurbar district, Vasave is currently posted in Akkalkuwa tehsil of Nandurbar as a forest guard.

She holds a master's degree in social welfare from the Pune-based Karve Institute of Social Service.

Born as a male named 'Vijay', Vasave studied at a residential school for tribal students in Nandurbar.