Neglected: NGOs to protest today for transgender rights

TransAction criticises exclusion in activities to end gender-based violence

PESHAWAR: Human rights organisations will hold a sit-in on Wednesday (today) after they failed to receive a positive response from the government and United Nations on policy to protect the rights of people who are transgender.

The sit-in will take place on Sher Shah Suri Road outside Peshawar Press Club. An alliance of TransAction, Blue Veins, Pakhtunkhwa Civil Society Network, Tribal NGOs Consortium and FATA Commission of Human Rights have organised the protest.



While talking to The Express Tribune, TransAction head Farzana said, “People who are transgender are the most oppressed and marginalised people of society.” She added, “Even strategies to end gender-based violence exclude the problems being faced by people who are transgender.”

According to Farzana, “The sit-in will help highlight the violence and discrimination that people who are transgender face on a daily basis.”

When contacted, focal person of Pakhtun Civil Society Network Taimur Kamal said, “There is a dire need to develop policies to help this socially neglected population.” He added, “The sit-in and protest will also attempt to change transphobic behaviour of UN employees in K-P.” According to Kamal, “Even 16 days of activism against gender-based violence proved unfruitful for transgender community,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th,  2015.