Sarah Khan
In May, 2019, the Ministry of Human Rights of Pakistan had appointed the first transgender person, Ayesha Moghul as a resource person . The announcement was made by the Federal Minister, Shireen Mazari on social media.
While it’s certainly heartening to see that the PTI government is passionate about the issues of marginalized communities, it is also true that there still are serious issues faced by them that the government needs to prioritize on urgent basis.
‘Transgender Persons Bill 2017’- passed by the government of Pakistan- has been a landmark achievement and was aimed to help this marginalized community of Pakistan. It was believed that this will bring about a very significant change in the lives of many transgenders who are living in abject poverty and are facing discrimination on a daily basis.
The transgender community e.g. lacks basic facilities such as education, technical skill development, employment opportunities, healthcare facilities (at times even the doctors’s attitude towards them is hostile) besides providing them safe and friendly working environment.
Also, there is a need to educate the general masses about their “equal citizenry” which demands that they be given full respect, their dignity be upheld and they are given equal opportunities for work and employment.
