A voice must be raised nationwide and our communities must accept them as human beings
ISLAMABAD: The worst feeling a human can ever face is being helpless and worthless. This is precisely what men and women of our country do to members of the transgender community. We humiliate them and steal their dignity. Pakistani society and government systems further inhibit them by restricting them from various jobs and educational institutions. When it comes to rights or issues for men and women, laws are created, but when it comes to rights and issues of our transgender community, our government gives them contemptible responses. Despite some minimal rights gains, Pakistan’s transgender community is still under attack. They face violence and discrimination because we don’t want them to be safe. We never embraced them as humans.
Recently, a transgender in Sialkot was beaten up by offender Jajja Butt for refusal to pay extortion money. A video of the transgender begging for help left us speechless. Previously, transgender community members have been victim to gang rape and murder, including members of the Trans Action Alliance in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, a group of comprising civil society and transgender persons in the province.
A voice must be raised nationwide and our communities must accept them as human beings and give them full rights to live peaceful lives. There must be a law for third gender citizens to gain education, job opportunities and proper medical attention when needed without any fear, hesitation or threat and with dignity.
Alina Bashir
Published in The Express Tribune, December 7th, 2016.
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