Daily Times

KHAIRPUR: The Marvi Rural Development Organisation (MRDO) on Saturday conducted an awareness session with the transgender community entitled ‘Voters Education and Mobilisation’ in Sukkur to highlight deprivation of their rights in particular, and the minorities in general, regarding electoral process in the country.

Reportedly, the MRDO in collaboration with DAI-Tabeer briefed the participants about the current political scenario that prevails in the country while several members of transgender community expressed grave concerns over a long ‘legal’ tradition of undermining their political and civil rights.

Importantly, they complained about certain issues during the process of issuance of computerised national identity cards (CNICs), particularly if they do not have information about their parents.

“The transgender community are deprived of their fundamental rights, and suffer discrimination in Pakistan,” they said.

The activists further presented a charter of demands to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), political parties, law enforcement agencies, the media groups and civil society, which addresses their socio-economic and political issues, including removal of hurdles to let the transgender community enter into the mainstream politics and urging the political parties to induct their members into their influential ranks.

Besides, the demands further included provision of legal security, prevention of eve-teasing, stalking and harassment, and equal rights in society for all members of the community.

They said that the topic of transgender rights is considered a taboo in Pakistan, and even sophisticated groups do not discuss it.

“Most people do not even consider us as a part of their society, and refute us altogether,” their representatives said adding that civil society needs to realise their existence as equal human beings and their fundamental rights.

The MRDO programmes manager Salman Ali said the ECP Act 2017 under Article 48 A and B transgender community are included in the vulnerable community which means that they shall not be required to stand in queue and will be given priority of right to vote.

“The polling station staff will ensure that they will cast votes as soon as they reach the polling stations,” he said adding that in order to mobilise and engage the transgender community in the mainstream politics, their members must be facilitated for elections to hold public offices across the country.

Ghulam Sughra said that transgender persons were considered as a sign of shame and disgrace in Pakistani culture where most of them never get a chance to acquire education in schools due to mistreatment by fellow students.

“Government officials are well known for harassing them, and there is no government support for them to live a normal life,” he said.

Several members of the transgender community participated in the session.

Published in Daily Times, July 22^nd 2018.