The goal is to find collective solutions for comprehensive job placement. This work is being carried out by the Municipality of Gualeguaychú, through the Ministry of Labor, thanks to a project funded by the World Bank.  Photos: Courtesy of the Municipality of Gualeguaychú.  María José Murillo is a 35-year-old trans hairdresser who dreams of opening her own business. A year ago, she approached the Youth with More and Better Work Program (Ministry of Labor) for assistance with her entrepreneurial venture. Following this contact, she was invited, along with Sandra Idalgo, to be a promoter of the "Employment Club," a pioneering project that seeks to integrate trans youth into the workforce in Gualeguaychú. The program, coordinated by the Ministry of Labor with support from the World Bank, offers guidance and training to trans individuals so they can seek and find employment or develop their own projects in both the public and private sectors.

[READ ALSO: #Argentina: progress and shortcomings of the trans employment quota] 

“We chose Gualeguaychú because the Municipality has been doing excellent work in the Gender and Diversity Area for some time now, and also because the city has a history and experiences closely linked to the trans and travesti population, due to the carnival, which has always been a space for visibility,” she told Present Violeta Alegre, a World Bank consultant and trans activist who leads the program.

 Legislation and reality

The municipality began working in March, conducting a needs assessment of the living conditions and needs of transgender people. This requires on-the-ground work being done in conjunction with the INKA Foundation and the LGBTI organization "Me hago cargo" (I Take Charge), which is responsible for promoting the program.

[READ ALSO: Transgender job quota in Rosario: registration closed and 62 people signed up]

“In our assessment, we realized that the legislation is very advanced, but it doesn't have a corresponding impact at the socio-cultural level. And the most urgent need for trans people is employment. They all told us that. Even women who are working as prostitutes say so themselves; they don't want to do that for the rest of their lives. It's a very conservative society, and many employers are still not willing to hire trans people. We need to work a lot on raising awareness,” she told Present Lorena Arrozogaray, director of production and economic development of the Municipality of Gualeguaychú.   It is estimated that there are about 40 transgender people living in Gualeguaychú, and the first challenge of this program is reaching them to invite them to the "Employment Club," a service offered by the Ministry of Labor that is flexible and adapts to the needs and circumstances of the participants. "We are just starting to spread the word, with Sandra. Our job is to communicate with the women via Facebook and then go to their homes or to meeting places, which are often nightclubs. The women's situations are diverse; some are studying, others work in artistic performances, and others are sex workers. It also depends a lot on their age," says María José Murillo.

Thinking together

Promoters María José and Sandra also received training and are paid for their work. Their role is crucial because the success of the "employment club" depends on how the program is communicated and how the call for applications is structured. The club is a four-month workshop for 20 young people between the ages of 18 and 24, designed to help them discover their professional profile and develop a career plan that also envisions a future for them. Participants in the program will receive a stipend to cover expenses during their training.

[READ ALSO: Transgender employment quota approved in Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego]

“In addition to the training component, which will be provided by the Autonomous University of Entre Ríos (UADER), this is an opportunity for the women to reflect together and share both their negative and positive experiences. While it's geared towards young people, we also want to invite older women to share their experiences and journeys,” said Arrozogaray. With those over 24, they are already considering alternative projects, such as forming a cleaning cooperative, a proposal that originated with the women themselves. “This program is already having a social impact, a real shake-up, because when the women learn about these opportunities, they start thinking about alternatives, about collective solutions. It's something we need to put on the agenda and in the media, because there is a significant absence of the State regarding the trans population,” Arrozogaray added.

Finding collective solutions

The idea is not to limit participants to any particular area of ​​employment, but rather to open up possibilities and career paths with a future-oriented vision. The program also commits, should they wish to work independently, to referring them to specific municipal programs or connecting them with companies. “The employment club starts in two months, and this 'club' model is precisely designed to be flexible. Generally, job training programs emphasize individual paths, with a competitive approach, and what we hope is that here we can learn collectively, incorporating the stories and experiences that each participant brings,” Alegre added.