Chahat, a member of the transgender community, prepares for Shakeela's party in Peshawar, Pakistan January 22, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD: Child rights activists and members of the civil society resolved to press federal and provincial governments into taking appropriate steps to protect transgender children and help them integrate with others.
Criticising the lack of accurate data on transgender children in the country, they urged the government to safeguard their rights.
Transgenders seek reformation in Pakistan
Transgender children face discrimination right from their birth as they are shunned both by their families and the society, they said.
During a session on ‘Preventing Employment of Children’, which was chaired by MNA Aasiya Nasir, participants discussed the serious repercussions of child labour.
Children are employed in domestic agriculture and industrial sectors, including fishing, carpet-weaving and manufacture of glass bangles.
In Islamabad, a mosque for transgender community
Statistics suggested that they were also working as domestic servants, besides being employed in hotels, restaurants as well as automobile shops.
They are constantly facing harassment /exploitation at the hands of their employers and customers.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 23rd, 2017.
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