Daily Times

Across the world the birth of a child is considered a blessing. In Pakistan this blessing is halved if the child is a girl. And it is completely diminished if the child is transgender. While activists regularly fight for the rights of transgender persons in Pakistan, the focus is primarily adults. The difficulties of being a transgender child are hardly ever discussed.

As per the latest census results there are around 10,400 transgender persons in Pakistan. While many debate this number, let us momentarily believe it is true. Given Pakistan’s total population is approximately207.7 million, transgender persons then account for about 0.005 percent of our population. In a country where majority of the people are derived of basic human rights, there is little chance a minority will be served well. However, transgender persons in Pakistan are increasingly gaining space in a society which previously rejected them openly.

Transgender persons across our nation are no longer confined to the bleak world of begging or prostitution. Transgender model and activist Kami Sid recently won an award at the NBC Universal Short Film Festival for her work in ‘Rani’. Last month the federal government hired its first transgender employee Nomi as a cook. This year, 21 year old Marvia Malik became Pakistan’s first transgender anchor. While the notion of having a transgender colleague at work may still be surprising, it is no longer unbelievable. And over time the employability of transgender persons will increase with local governments paving a way for them to enter the education system.

The Allama Iqbal Open University, a public institution based in Islamabad, now offers free education in any subject to transgender persons- be it an Msc or a Phd. A notification by the Punjab Education Department issued in August this year also instructed schools to ‘recognize/protect the rights of transgender children in Pakistan under the Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Act, 2018’ and thereby give equal importance to their enrolment. While the initiative must be appreciated, legal work alone cannot change mindsets. Even if a transgender child does make it to school, it is necessary to try and imagine what will happen next both inside and outside the classroom.

When a parent enters a school they see adorable children singing, studying, and playing. They see a good place to laugh and learn with neat shelves of books and shiny whiteboards. But there are also other structures in place only visible to the student eye. Schools are social jungles where survival hinges upon popularity. The catch phrase ‘boys will be boys’ is often used to explain the rough and tumble of young men at school even when their idea of fun borders on outright cruelty. You can be mocked for anything as little as not growing enough facial hair or being overweight. So what will then become of a small transgender child in this social jungle?

The system of distinguishing certain aspects of education by gender are present throughout most schools in Pakistan. Boys wear shirts and trousers, while girls wear shalwarkamees or frocks. But what does the transgender child wear? And which toilet does the transgender child use without being preyed upon? Now if we reject the idea of mixed schools, then where will the transgender child bemore accepted: in an all-boys or an all-girls school?

Transgender persons across our nation are no longer confined to the bleak world of begging or prostitution. Transgender model and activist Kami Sid recently won an award at the NBC Universal Short Film Festival for her work in ‘Rani’. Last month the federal government hired its first transgender employee Nomi as a cook. This year, 21 year old Marvia Malik became Pakistan’s first transgender anchor

During April this year a school specifically designed for transgender persons -called the Gender Guardian – was inaugurated in Lahore. It offers transgender persons complete 12 years of education and vocational training. While the need for such safe spaces in which transgender children can learn and grow is understandable, this is not the solution. If we cannot even include transgender persons in the schooling system, how can we expect them to ever be accepted into society as a whole? A child spends (give or take) 6 hours in school everyday. In this time he learns about Newton and 1947.He makes friends and the odd enemy. He learns to see and understand diversity in the world. But his world has a transgender shaped hole.

If we keep transgender persons out of ordinary schools then it is highly likely the only other place boys and girls will only encounter them will be on streets begging. And that is how these young minds will learn to perceive a transgender person; an outsider, someone to chase away or throw money at. They will never learn to see a transgender person as someone equal, someone who can be your friend or classmate. There is immense focus on legalities in Pakistan: change the law, implement it and voila Pakistan will change. But it is not that simple. On an ordinary day an ordinary individual does not think about what section XYZ of article ABC of the Constitution says. And most likely he will be unaware of what the Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Act, 2018 says. He lives life by what he knows and believes.

To ensure transgender persons are accepted as part of the community in Pakistan the people’s mindsets must be changed. And it all must begin from a young age. Transgender children should be able to attend any school they chose without the fear of being persecuted. This can be achieved by teaching young minds about transgender persons as people who are a part of our community. Children grow up encountering stories about boys, girls, animals and far away magical places. But what they don’t hear about is a transgender friend. Through cartoons, books and games which depict transgender persons, children can learn to accept them from a very young age. Literature has the power to redefine and in these small minds lie big potentials to change Pakistan.

The writer has a master’s in media with a distinction from the London School of Economics. She tweets @mawish_m

Published in Daily Times, November  3^rd 2018.