KARACHI:
One must laud the initiative taken by the government of setting up a school for transgender persons in Multan. By providing the community with free education and ensuring inclusivity, not only will their basic rights be fulfilled but the respect that they deserve within society, where they are often stigmatised, will be preserved. A proper education system is a basic prerequisite towards empowerment. It will help transgender persons earn a decent livelihood instead of resorting to unethical professions. Nobody, I repeat, nobody should be denied the fundamental right to education.
Education for all should be the top priority for all ruling governments. During the inauguration ceremony, Punjab education minister Murad Raas vowed that such schools would be opened in all districts to facilitate the transgender community. Celebrities from all across the country are praising the government’s effort. However, it remains a sad fact that regular students in our school system exhibit insensitive behaviour towards transgender persons. This is why schools are mostly hesitant in enrolling them. A separate school has therefore been set up as a first step to safeguard these transgender students against the insensitivity and humiliation that they are subjected to by other “normal” children. But the ultimate goal should be to make sure that students are slowly incorporated within an inclusive educational system, regardless of their gender. It thus becomes vital that certain changes should be incorporated. It is suggested that separate washrooms are made for transgender persons so that they do not face harassment. Proper procedures and regulations must be in place whereby teachers are trained on how to monitor and ensure that there are no instances of bullying and violence.
With this progressive and welcome step, Pakistan now has the opportunity to emerge as a leader and champion in upholding the rights of transgender persons in an otherwise grim landscape. This goal can be easily achieved with dedication and commitment. Such a victory shall also benefit and enhance the country’s soft power.
Salma Tahir
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2021.
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