KARACHI:
In Pakistan, minorities are faced with a constant threat to their existence because their rights are regularly violated. Poor implementation of laws and a lacklustre attitude of state institutions have allowed people to harm or harass minority groups. This has led to a complete erasure of some groups in several aspects of society. For instance, in our daily gatherings, we always greet audiences with “ladies and gentlemen” completely disregarding the existence of a third gender.
The transgender community is one of the most marginalised groups in society. Transgender persons are disowned by their own families and pushed into poverty and deprivation. For the last several decades, trans people had no educational or employment opportunities. They have little choice but to resort to begging or dancing to survive. Although the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018 allowed citizens to self-identify their gender on all official documentation and protected the rights of transgender citizens, the law was not properly implemented. In education and healthcare, transgender persons had reserved quotas. But they are seldom offered these positions.
In August 2022, a women’s convention was held in the National Assembly in which people from all groups of society were invited including disabled and transgender persons as well. This was a commendable step because it acknowledged the existence of individuals from all walks of life. Babli, a transgender representative, addressed the convention and began her speech with “respected participants” reminding everyone in the convention that we have long ignored the existence of the transgender community. It was a moment of shame and contemplation for everyone. It is about time that we accord the transgender community respect and accept their existence and right to life.
Daman Ali
Islamabad
Published in The Express Tribune, October 6th, 2022.
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