Arulselvi is a Research Scholar at Anna University’s Department of Media Sciences in Chennai. She also serves as a Youth Ambassador for the Asia-Pacific Region in UNESCO MIL ALLIANCE (formerly known as GAPMIL). Her fervour for media and information literacy drives her to continuously seek innovative approaches to help individuals navigate the overwhelming flow and overload of information in the digital age.
Arulselvi’s inspiration to join Factshala was driven by her vision of a media-literate society where individuals adopt healthy information consumption habits. As a FactShala trainer, she has led numerous sessions for various social groups, including self-help groups, MNREGA workers, agricultural labourers, villagers, college students, school children, and others.
However, she observed a concerning lack of participation from the transgender community in these programmes, including in both educational institutions and workplaces. She came to the realisation that despite advancements in social inclusivity, societal barriers persist. Arulselvi wanted their inclusion in such programmes, especially those pertaining to media literacy, given that the community is just as susceptible, if not more, to misinformation. She says,
“Transgender communities often encounter misinformation and harmful narratives in the media, exposing them to heightened vulnerability. This situation may further aggravate stigmatisation, social exclusion, and marginalisation within the community“
To address this issue, Arulselvi collaborated with the Transgender Rights Association – a Chennai-based non-profit organisation dedicated to gender advocacy. This collaboration brought together transgender individuals and students working on related projects, creating an inclusive space for learning.
During the session, Arulsevi delved into the concepts of media literacy, highlighting the differences between accurate and misleading information, and how information can be manipulated in digital media. She encouraged participants to confidently confront misinformation, navigate digital spaces safely, amplify their voices in the media, and leverage it to their benefit.
Bhuvaneshwari, who participated in the session, admitted, “I relied on information from my immediate social circle, neighbours, and community leaders. However, the session shed light on how misinformation spreads through word of mouth. I realised that even my friends were susceptible to believing rumours. I am now committed to combat misinformation concerning third genders actively by verifying information and sharing it appropriately”.
Another participant shared the impact of false information on transgender health, particularly regarding body transformation and hormone therapy. They pledged to share only verified information regarding transgender transition and hormone therapy to ensure the well-being and health of their community.
Arulselvi’s training session not only cultivated key critical thinking skills in the participants but also sparked a significant shift in perspective: Choosing to reveal rather than hide. She firmly believes,
“Choosing to reveal rather than hide empowers transgender individuals to craft their own narratives and portrayals, enabling them to share their stories and experiences authentically“
One participant initially expressed her fear about social media usage, including sharing photos and revealing their identity. She believed it would harm her. However, by the end of the session, she realised the importance of accurately representing her community instead of hiding. She emphasised, “By representing my community, I can address the issues and raise awareness about them in the right manner, in the right context”.
Arulsevi strongly advocates media and information literacy initiatives such as Factshala in empowering transgender communities as,
“media literacy enables them to counter false narratives and misrepresentations of their identities in news, mainstream media, and on-screen portrayals. It allows them to express their emotions, break myths, and shed light on their physical and mental struggles“
Ultimately, this will lead to greater understanding and acceptance of third genders within society.