Violence against transgender persons has been on the rise in Pakistan for the past many years, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Two men allegedly involved in sexually assaulting a transgender person were arrested in Nowshehra on Monday. The arrest was made after the victim posted a video on social media, prompting the users to draw the provincial authorities’ attention to the incident. In the video, the victim also claimed that she and her friend were made to strip naked by doctors and staff at Nowshehra’s District Headquarters Hospital. While the immediate arrest of the accused is commendable, the doctors and staff of the hospital should also be brought to justice. Also read: What about the minorities? Despite efforts to end discrimination against the persecuted community, there does not seem to be an end to their plight. The police’s role in this particular incident has been positive, but trans activists allege that police personnel are themselves engaged in harassing the aggrieved transgenders who come to them for filing complaints. For gender equality to be implemented in true sense of the word, discriminatory behavior against the transgender community must also end. A change in mindset is needed for which educating and spreading awareness among the masses can be a significant first step. Several NGOs are working towards elimination of violence and prejudice against transgenders by engaging with the relevant stakeholders. But the government is yet to take any substantive steps in this regard. There was optimism all around when the landmark Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act was approved in May this year. 13 members of the transgender community also contested the July 25 elections. That the incidents of violence against the community have continued regardless of these positive developments means legislation is not enough. The perpetrators of such horrific incidents must be given exemplary punishments. Education about the anti-discriminatory laws and lessons of tolerance and acceptance of the third gender through governmental intervention are also needed. * Published in Daily Times, July 31st 2018.