Trans rights

It is encouraging that the voice of the unheard is being heard now

With consistent efforts of enlightened people, societal attitude towards the transgender community is gradually improving. They are now being largely accepted as no different from others deserving all human rights like any other humans. They have been issued National Identity Cards giving them the right to get all other rights granted to all citizens of the country. However, we still have a long way to go to get society’s mindset changed to remove the long-held bias against this disadvantaged segment. Despite having achieved notable success in prevailing over society to give up prejudices against this community, they are being subjected to various kinds of violence, mistreatment and even murder. The sad reality, however, remains that recent years have seen a rise in crimes against transpeople like sexual assault, intimidation, harassment, murder and murderous attacks.

In view of their increasing exposure to a variety of dangers, the community has once again called for enactment of laws to ensure their safety. Recently, a consultative meeting was held in Hyderabad under the aegis of an NGO where the Sindh Transgender Protection Policy was discussed. Representatives of transpeople present at the meeting forcefully presented the case for treating them like other humans and for providing them effective protection. A trans rights activist said recommendations were being gathered from stakeholders and collated to ensure that the law provided them the required protection and treated them as equal citizens. She expressed determination that they would make sure the law was not only enacted, but implemented as well. Also in attendance was the chairperson of the Sindh Commission on the Status of Women, who affirmed that transgender persons are an integral part of society and deserved all the rights guaranteed in the Constitution.

According to independent sources, 65 transpersons have been killed since 2015 in the country and another 1,500 have been subjected to violence. On September 9, a transwomen named Gul Parna was murdered in Peshawar. It is, however, encouraging that the voice of the unheard is being heard now.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2020.

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