Sir: Transgender people are referred to as the third gender and there is an estimated population of 500,000 of them in Pakistan. As they are not present in large numbers they are considered sexual minorities despite the fact that they are born a certain way. They have to face many problems. Their families have abandoned them so they seek refuge in places where other people like them live. To earn a living and to fulfill basic needs, they earn money through questionable means because the doors to employment have been closed to them. They fight for their identity because they are not considered a part of society.
They are left with no choice except begging. Some of them earn money by dancing at wedding ceremonies. The dark side of their lives is that they are physically and sexually assaulted because their voices are not heard. Some of them are forced into prostitution. On April 6, 2015, two members of this community were killed after being abducted and gang-raped by an armed man in the Swabi district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In 2011, the Supreme Court (SC) granted them rights to vote and run for office but the procedure is still limited to papers and is not in practice yet.
This issue needs serious consideration from the government to officially grant rights to the transgender community so it can work without prejudice.
FATIMA KANWAL BAIG
Rawalpindi
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