Follow-up urged on first-ever school for transgender

Social activists call for job quota for transgender community in public sector

ISLAMABAD:

Transgender community from different parts of the country have welcomed the government's initiative of launching the first-ever transgender school in the Lodhran district of Punjab but urged the authorities to take follow-up action.

The school, established by the government-run Literacy department, began its classes over five years ago with around 20 students. The school aimed to help this neglected segment to create a niche for itself in society.

It was established after their longstanding struggle for their identity and rights with provision of Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs), the right to contest in election, and first-ever special ward in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

"First ever step of establishing a school for transgender by the government will create more opportunities for our community to come forward and play their due role in national development," Nadeem Kashish, a transgender, told APP.

Kashish, who contested the general elections 2018, said that despite many initiatives and legislative frameworks, the most-maltreated transgender individuals remain marginalized and struggle to access their fundamental right to education.

Most of the transgender individuals discontinue their education due to discriminatory behaviour in society, so this step will further encourage them to prove their abilities," Kashish added.

"Though it was a big challenge to set up a separate educational institution for transgender, the government has come up to the expectations of transgender community and we are heading toward bringing improvement in our lives."

Alizeh, another transgender, said that the recent government initiatives brought "a ray of hope for our community to chase our dreams without any social barriers". Education, Alizeh said, "is the first step for human beings to get civilised".

The government efforts for the transgender community are also applauded by all segments of society. However, there are suggestions that the authorities adopt more initiatives to bring transgender people in the social fabric.

"This neglected segment also has the right to live with dignity," said Robina, a social activist. She suggested a job quota for the transgender in the public sector, so that they could get prestigious jobs after receiving education.

Kashish said that there was a dire need of empowering transgender community by taking multiple initiatives in education and health sectors and also needed to create awareness among the masses to treat them well.