There are a number of grassroot level issues that transgender people and other marginalized communities face on a daily basis in Pakistan. These include lack of access to quality education, employment, healthcare, and housing. Written by AL Pakistan accountapreneur, Muhammad Saad Khan

Transgender people and other marginalized communities in Pakistan often face discrimination and violence, both from communities and the government. My work has taught me how important it is to listen to the stories of transgender people and other marginalized individuals if we are to address these challenges. One important task is to create knowledge about these issues is through research. This can be done by talking to members of the community and conducting surveys. By doing this, we can better understand their experiences and the challenges they face.

Another way to create knowledge is through activism. This involves working towards making changes at the policy level in order to improve the lives of transgender people and other marginalized groups. This can be done through organizing rallies and protests and writing letters to government officials, hereby raising awareness about the issues these communities face.

The transgender community is one of the most marginalized communities in Pakistan. They are often shunned by their families and communities at large, and live on the fringes of society. They face immense discrimination and violence, both physical and mental. As a result, they often don’t have access to education, employment, healthcare or even basic human rights. And yet, in spite of all the odds stacked up against them, many transgender people are working towards creating inclusive spaces for themselves and other members of their community.

Defining the issues

The transgender community in Pakistan faces several issues ranging from social to economic, and legal problems. Some of the most pressing issues faced by the community include:

1) Social isolation and exclusion: The transgender community in Pakistan is often socially isolated and excluded. This is due to the fact that many people believe that they do not conform to traditional gender roles and norms. They are often ostracized by family members, friends, and society at large, leading to loneliness, depression, and anxiety.

2) Economic marginalization: The transgender community in Pakistan also faces economic marginalization. This is because they often do not have access to education or employment. Many members of the community are forced to beg or resort to sex work in order to survive. This can lead to further social isolation and ostracism.

3) Lack of legal recognition: The transgender community in Pakistan also lacks legal recognition. They are not entitled to the same rights and protections as other citizens making them vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.

4) Discrimination: There is little knowledge about the rights, needs and experiences of transgender people in Pakistan which leads to discrimination. This is because they are often seen as being “different” or “abnormal” by society, leading  to them being treated unfairly in all areas of life, including education, employment, and housing.

5) Violence: The transgender community is also at risk of violence. This is because they are often seen as easy targets by criminals and members of the general public. This can lead to them being physically and verbally abused, or even killed.

A number of assoociated challenges are also evident in the transgender community. One is that some members of the transgender community are particularly vulnerable to getting infected with HIV/AIDS due to their engagement in unprotected sex work. As a result, the rate of HIV infection among transgender people is alarmingly high, making the need for adequate healthcare that much more important. The community also faces a high rate of mental health problems because so many people suffer from social isolation, discrimination, and violence. As a result, many members of the community report experiencing depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders.

How does this impact the life community?

There is a pressing need to generate knowledge about the grassroot level issues of transgender people and the barriers to access to services such as healthcare and housing opportunities. This is important in order to effectively address the social, economic, and health disparities that these groups face.

Ultimately, there are many ways we can work to create knowledge related to the grassroot level issues of transgender people and other marginalized communities. We can conduct research, develop educational materials, and engage in community outreach programs  and relevant  educational activities. We can also work to create policies and practices that are inclusive of all people, regardless of gender identity or expression. By working together, we can create a better world for everyone.

Knowledge creation related to grassroot level issues of transgender people and other marginalized communities is still in its nascent stage. There is a lack of understanding of the issues faced by these communities and a need for more research in this area. There is also a need for more dialogue and engagement with these communities to better understand their needs and issues. Furthermore, there is a need for more awareness raising and advocacy initiatives to create greater visibility for these communities. Finally, more effort needs to be made to ensure that the voices of transgender people and other marginalized communities are heard and included in policymaking processes.

*Muhammad Saad Khan is a Community Activist & Development Practitioner working for Transgender and other marginalized groups since 2017 with local, national and global organizations.  

Sheena Adams