Pakistan documented its transgender population for the first time in the 2017 census. It has estimated their number to be over 10,000. As per these counts, transgenders cover 0.005 percent of the total population. In spite of this, they face many problems.
Dr. Randi Kaufman, a New York-based Psychologist, has said ‘the high rates of suicide attempts and self-harm often stem from being rejected or not being supported. Moreover, the lives of transgender people are marked with poverty, harassment, and other issues.
The status of transgender in Pakistan is very low. They are deprived of their guarded rights. People use vituperative language and refer to them as hijra’ — a word equated with coward. Why do we refute the fact that transgender people were the personal guards of most of the Mughal Emperors?
In Pakistan, the rights of transgenders are severely violated as they are not given due respect in society. Many transgenders fall victim to sexual harassment. Neither do the higher authorities take action for them, nor can they highlight their own issues. Recently, a school was opened by an NGO for trans children to give them their educational rights, but they are working on a very small scale. Trans people usually face discrimination while searching for a job and are compelled to beg, dance or work as prostitutes in order to earn money. Transgenders are also deprived of the right to healthcare. In June 2016, Alisha a 23-year-old transgender activist died as a result of not receiving medical treatment on time. The hospital staff was unable to decide whether to admit her in the male or female ward and let her die in the hospital.
Trans people usually face discrimination while searching for a job and are compelled to beg, dance or work as prostitutes in order to earn money
But the status of transgender people is improving gradually. The ‘Transgender Persons Bill 2017’ has brought a ray of hope to the community. This bill is aimed at reducing many basic issues that they face. According to this bill, transgenders will be permitted to get driving licenses. Harassment of transgenders will be forbidden, safe houses will be constructed by the government, and they will be given the facility of loans to start small businesses. Recently for the first time in history, a Pakistani news channel hired a transgender as a newsreader. This anchor, named Marvia Malik, graduated in journalism and told the BBC she was moved to tears when she was offered the job. She said she hoped her work would help improve the lives of Pakistan’s transgender community.
Furthermore, in the last month, former Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar announced that he would provide jobs to two transgenders in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. For the very first time, Pakistan’s Supreme Court will hire two transgenders to give them their rights in the Muslim-majority country. Efforts must be made collectively to recognise the issues faced by the trans community, and help them overcome those issues. Pakistan must work on a broader scale to preserve their identity. Laws and policies must be implemented to ensure their basic rights so that they may live free, respectable lives. Certainly, valuing the transgender people will sort out these multifaceted problems.
Writer graduated in Media Studies from Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Shaheed Benazirabad
Published in Daily Times, February 19th 2019.