Transgender Women: Violence, Migration, and Mental Health

Abstract

Trans women in El Salvador face significant risks and social disadvantages due to violence, exclusion, and discrimination. They often experience harassment, threats, and stalking from various actors, including family members, community members, gangs, and security forces. Due to their gender identity, the violence they experience can lead to forced displacement or migration. This qualitative and phenomenological study aims to analyze the conditions of vulnerability that trans women experience throughout their lives and the conditions in which their experience of forced displacement occurs. The study takes a gender, psychosocial, and intersectional approach to ensure a comprehensive analysis of the subject matter. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives of human rights organizations/institutions or those supporting victims of forced displacement and/or the LGBTIQ+ population. Additionally, five semi-structured interviews were conducted with trans women who were in a situation of forced displacement. The results indicate that trans women face systematic violations of their rights and experience multiple forms of violence throughout their lives, across various areas of their development. Forced displacement often occurs in situations of deep risk, which can have a significant impact on social relationships and development opportunities. This, in turn, can negatively affect physical, sexual, and mental health. In facing the crisis, trans women rely on personal resources and coping mechanisms, as well as support from organizations. However, a comprehensive and specific identity law is necessary to protect their rights and safeguard their lives and integrity in situations of forced migration. This would strengthen their support network and facilitate their social reintegration, with access to legal, psychosocial, and health support free from stigma and discrimination.