- By: Shahid Ali Tareen
Transgenders in Pakistan face severe challenges, with their basic human rights often neglected. They are frequently targeted with violence in various forms, including sexual, physical, psychological, and social abuse. In Pakistan, a society built around patriarchal structures, strong religious beliefs, and cultural norms and values dictates how transgender individuals must live their lives.
It starts with critical decisions made by their families whether to accept their transgender teenager or abandon them to the mercy of others. These are defining moments in any transgender’s life. Subsequently, it becomes the state’s responsibility to provide education, security, and support to these marginalized communities. However, in a country where lawmakers often filter policies through a religious lens, the fundamental human rights of transgenders, who are still not accepted as equals, are overlooked.
One of the most critical rights of transgender individuals is education, yet it remains a significant challenge for them. Due to the lack of educational opportunities, they have not been able to advocate for their rights effectively. The situation is particularly dire in the Pashtun-populated province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where their right to live is under constant threat.
According to a UNDP report, over 2,000 transgender individuals faced physical violence, and 93 were killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from 2015 to 2023. These are just the reported cases, with actual numbers likely higher. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police reports 27 cases of physical violence in Peshawar in 2023, resulting in four deaths and 14 injuries among transgender individuals. In 2024, eight cases were reported, with one death and nine injuries. These figures highlight the targeting of transgender individuals.
Arzo Khan, President of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Transgender Community, states, “The government’s lack of attention to our basic human and citizen rights causes significant problems for us. Due to inadequate education, security, and social support, we are vulnerable to targeting.
If the government provides shelter homes, educational institutions, and skill development centers, it would greatly benefit us by opening doors to various professions and contributing to building a progressive society.”
It is unfortunate that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has not established a single educational institute for the transgender community. In contrast, the Punjab Province offers a glimmer of hope, with eight schools developed since 2021 that also provide skill development facilities. These schools are located in eight different divisions of Punjab:
- Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat,
- Rawalpindi, and Sargodha, all managed under the Department of Education, Punjab.
Notably, Multan boasts the distinction of having the first transgender school in the world.
Aleesha Sherazi, a Ph.D. scholar and lecturer at Multan Transgender School, explains that, “There are 112 transgender students enrolled in Multan Transgender School whereas the other schools also have more than 700 students enrolled collectively. ” Aleesha is optimistic that these schools are shifting societal perceptions around transgender communities and creating a positive impact. Furthermore, Aleesha expects that these schools will eventually enable transgender individuals to excel in various professional fields, achieving financial independence and improved living standards. Zie is hopeful that this will establish a standard of equality for transgender individuals, treating them as any other gender and citizen of Pakistan.This shows how education and empowerment can transform lives and perceptions in any society regarding any community.
Arzo Khan expresses concern for the well-being of their community and emphasizes that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government needs to establish educational institutions, shelter homes, and skill development centers for transgender communities, which would be a significant step towards gender equality and citizenship rights.
In conclusion, the transgender schools in Punjab serve as an exemplary model for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to develop similar educational institutions, skill development centers, and shelter homes. This would not only provide transgender individuals with their due rights but also enhance their capabilities, integrating them as vital members of our society. However, this will require significant efforts from lawmakers and policymakers to prevent the influence of conservative elements on such progressive decisions, fostering a society where violence is eradicated and peace, harmony, and love thrive.