Sir: I am writing to you in order to accentuate one of the most vulnerable issues in our society: discrimination faced by the transgender community.
Transgender community is considered shame and disgrace in our culture. Many of these individuals never get a chance to get education in the regular schools due to discriminatory treatment and disgusting attitude of their fellows. The transgender do not want to dance on the streets or beg for money. Consequently, most of these individuals have no other option. They want to be recognized as equal individuals. They face employment issues because people do not provide them with suitable jobs, and even if they are given any opportunity to showcase their skills, they are being mocked by the people.
There is no government aid or support system to help these individuals live a normal life.
They are also treated as sex objects and often become the victims of violent assault. In case of any criminal victimization or even sexual harassment, these individuals get no help or support from the community or government institutions.
However, the transgender community in Pakistan has gained ground with the Supreme Court recognizing a third gender on national identity cards. To fight discrimination and violence, transgender activists are working at the Khawajasira Society (KSS).
The apex court has legally declared recently that transgender people have equal rights and are a normal citizen of Pakistan. The latest decision includes equality in all aspects including rights in inheritance after the death of parents, job opportunities and hiring of individuals etc. In 2009, Supreme Court also passed the order of including the category of ‘third gender’ in the national identity card form. In fact, in the last elections, many transgender people in Pakistan wrote the history by casting their vote to choose their political representative. This decision of Supreme Court was successfully presided by the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr. Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry.
Perhaps the first initiative taken by Pakistani Government to safeguard the transgender rights in Pakistan, I best hope that this will bring a true change in the mindsets of people as well.
SYED SHAYAN AHMED
Karachi
Published in Daily Times, March 18th 2018.