Pakistan is a country characterised by its diverse cultural and religious minorities, including the transgender community. Upholding the fundamental human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a primary responsibility of the state. In line with this principle, the government of Sindh has taken a historic step by approving Pakistan’s first-ever transgender education policy.
This landmark policy was approved during a key meeting. The policy introduces the inclusion of a transgender category in school and college admission forms and allocates a specific quota for transgender individuals in teacher recruitment processes. The significance of this policy is underscored by the 2023 National Census, which reports a population of 20,331 transgender individuals in Pakistan, with 4,222 residing in Sindh.
Additionally, a study by USAID highlights that 42% of transgender individuals are barely literate, while another 42% have no access to education. Importantly, the policy was developed in consultation with representatives of the transgender community to address their specific educational challenges.
This progressive initiative has the potential to transform societal attitudes toward the transgender community in Sindh. By increasing their access to education and integrating them into mainstream society, the policy aims to reduce stigma and foster a sense of inclusion. Moreover, this step will contribute to raising the national literacy rate and empowering transgender individuals to participate actively in the country’s social and economic development.
Sajjad Ali Memon
Darbello
