Bridging the Gap Between Paper and Reality: The Struggle for Transgender Rights in Pakistan

GFAN Speaker Saro Imran reflects on the stark realities and resilient hopes of Pakistan’s transgender community. Having endured violence and adversity firsthand, Saro channels her experiences into action and presents her insights on the pressing challenges and strides needed in the fight for transgender rights in Pakistan. 

 

When I was 15 years old, I faced a brutal attack simply for being who I am. That was in 2008, and the physical and emotional scars took nearly two years to heal. This harrowing experience marked the beginning of my journey as a transgender rights advocate in Pakistan, transforming adversity into hope and fighting back to find strength not only for myself but for my entire community. 

In Pakistan, gender identity-based human rights violations and discrimination remain prevalent. The Transgender community, particularly transgender women, face stigma, violence, and exclusion from society and public institutions like healthcare, education, and employment. I believe true change can be achieved where and when the transgender community fights to take charge and advocate for our rights and meaningful inclusion. True and lasting change starts at the grassroots level. It involves making steady, small progress rather than anticipating immediate results. 

Advocacy does turn wheels – in 2018, Pakistan passed a landmark legislation for Transgender people named Trans Rights Protection Act 2018. Post that we saw a number of progressive steps taken by public authorities to support transgender individuals like inclusion of transgender people in Sehat Insaf Card, quota in public jobs, Tahafuz Center in Rawalpindi, vocational training and skill development programs, and the formation of transgender schools for formal and technical education. 

However, the journey has been fraught with hate. Four years after the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018, passed in the parliament, right-wing religious political parties came forward to condemn the bill.  These groups have also led mass campaigns of disinformation and hate speech, using bot farms to run hashtags with mentions numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Transgender individuals have faced an increasing wave of vitriolic attacks on all forms of media, including social media.  

Meanwhile, the legal system continues to fail the transgender community at every level. Recently, I was targeted again in an attack fueled by the ongoing hate and transphobia in our society. I was ambushed by two young men who warned me to abandon my activism. Reporting this incident to the police led to a slow-moving investigation that still has not concluded. And the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) ruling stating that transgender individuals should undergo medical examinations rather than just self-perceived gender identification has been appealed in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, but hearings are yet to start. 

I remain positive and chose to celebrate the victories like the Punjab police having established Protection Centers for transgender people and the Tahafuz Darsgah (Transgender Institute), the first-ever shelter and education center exclusively dedicated to transgender children in collaboration with UK Curriculum & Accreditation Body.  

For the first time in Pakistan’s history a transgender person has been nominated as a District Focal Point for the Social Welfare Department of Punjab and I am honored to be taking on this role I aim to create community pathways for empowerment through skill-building and entrepreneurship. 

This year, the transgender community in Pakistan has a chance to amplify our voices. The government has allocated significant funds in the 2024-25 budget for transgender skill development, and we must ensure these funds are used effectively. 

Economic empowerment is crucial for achieving transgender rights and gender equality. My focus is on enhancing the well-being and social status of the transgender community in my new role. By fostering economic independence, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable society. 

The journey is far from over, but with continued effort and support, we can move closer to a future where transgender individuals in Pakistan are respected, protected, and empowered.