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rom Karachi to Hyderabad, the transgender community is finding its voice and carving out spaces for freedom of expression. With marches, festivals and activism gaining ground, Sindh stands out as a place where the community can celebrate their identity, a stark contrast to the often hostile environments in other places.
The Moorat March: Transgender advocacy
In Hyderabad, the Moort March — a grassroots movement advocating for transgender rights —took place recently. The march, organised by the transgender community in collaboration with groups like the Women’s Action Forum and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, was the third of its kind. It was a continuation of the Moorat March series, which began in Karachi, providing a platform for the transgender community to vocalise their demands for equality and respect.
The origins of the Moorat March (Trans March) can be traced back to 2022, when activist Shehzadi Rai was inspired to create a separate space for transgender voices in response to a hate campaign against the transgender community. This marked a turning point in their activism, prompting the formation of a march dedicated solely to transgender rights. The success of the Moorat March has been seen as an empowering response to prejudice and discrimination.
The fight against
marginalisation and
violence
Despite these strides, the transgender community in Pakistan continues to face deep-rooted challenges. A report by the UNDP says that for many transgender individuals, the journey to inclusion is fraught with obstacles. Discrimination begins at birth, often within the family unit, resulting in social and economic hardships that limit access to education, healthcare and basic rights.
Even with legal provisions guaranteeing fundamental rights, the transgender community remains marginalised. For instance, only 221 transgender individuals are registered under the Benazir Income Support Programme. Many transgender people are unable to obtain a Digital National Identity Card. This prevents them from accessing crucial services such as flood relief.
A long history of violence and exclusion
The transgender community’s daily life is marred by violence and abuse. According to reports, 92 percent of transgender individuals experience violence or abuse and more than 80 percent are denied employment due to their gender. Transgender individuals have little representation in the formal sector and their participation in political processes remains minimal.
The violence faced by transgender individuals is stark. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, videos of transgender activists being assaulted, including one where Dolphin Ayan was stripped, have surfaced. Arzoo, a leader of the Shemale Association Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, shared that in 2023 alone, 60 videos of transgender assaults were recorded. Since 2015, over 140 transgender people have been murdered in the province. The justice system’s failure to bring perpetrators of such crimes to book compounds the community’s suffering.
A growing voice in Sindh’s political
landscape
Despite the challenges, there are glimmers of hope. In Sindh, transgender individuals have gained representation in local government bodies. Notably, Shehzadi Rai, a prominent transgender activist, is a member of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. Rai admits that being in such a position comes with immense pressure and opposition, particularly from groups with a trans-phobic narrative.
The transgender community and their allies, including the organisers of the Moorat March, have articulated a set of urgent demands. These include the criminalisation of discrimination and hate speech, justice for murders of khwajasiras under the Qisas and Diyat law and the removal of medical gatekeeping for the X gender marker on identity documents. The community also calls for better access to housing, designated seating on public transport and strict enforcement of employment quotas to ensure fair representation in the public sector.
The Awami National Party, she says, has shown support. Dr Mehrab Awan, an advocate for transgender rights, has been appointed as the central secretary for transgender affairs. This marks a crucial shift in political representation for the community.
Progress amidst
challenges
In terms of legal recognition, there has been some progress. The Sindh government has recently approved a draft policy aimed at providing educational opportunities for transgender individuals. This policy includes provisions to include a transgender category in school and college admissions and sets a quota for transgender individuals in teacher recruitment. While this is a significant step forward, Shehzadi Rai laments that out of her 12 primary demands, only one has been accepted so far.
The 2023 National Census counted 20,331 transgender people in Pakistan. 4,222 of those live in Sindh. Most activists believe that these figures are an underrepresentation. According to research by USAID, 42 percent of transgender individuals in Pakistan are barely literate. 40 percent lack access to education. This highlights the need for policies that provide equal schooling opportunities.
The demands of the khwajasira community
The transgender community and their allies, including the organisers of the Moorat March, have articulated a set of urgent demands. These include the criminalisation of discrimination and hate speech, justice for murders of khwajasiras under the Qisas and Diyat law and the removal of medical gatekeeping for the X gender marker on identity documents. The community also calls for better access to housing, designated seating on public transport and strict enforcement of employment quotas to ensure equal representation in the public sector.
Other key demands include the creation of a dedicated HIV programme for transgender individuals, the revision of the educational curriculum to reflect the political and cultural history of khwajasiras and the official recognition of khwajasiras as a protected indigenous population.
A culture of peace and acceptance
What sets Sindh apart from the rest of Pakistan, says Shehzadi Rai, its Sufi tradition that has long fostered a sense of acceptance and respect for diversity. This cultural foundation has had a significant role in the greater social acceptance of transgender individuals in the province. “In Sindh, we’ve been given more space,” she says. “Sindh has always been a land of peace. Government policies here support vulnerable communities, including sexual and gender minorities.”
Qurat Mirza, one of the organisers of the Aurat March, echoes the sentiment, noting that the transgender community’s participation in the 2018 Aurat March was pivotal in raising awareness about gender identity and inclusion. The Moort March, while a separate event, was born out of the activism sparked by the Aurat March, a testament to the growing political and social presence of transgender individuals in Sindh.
The struggle for
equality continues
The journey for transgender rights in Pakistan is far from over. While some progress has been made, the fight for equality, dignity and justice is ongoing. The Moorat March, the Hijra Festival and the increasing representation of transgender individuals in local government are a few examples of the strides made.
As they continue to fight for their rights, members of the transgender community in Sindh stand together as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that activism, cultural support and legal reform can create a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
The writer is a freelance journalist and a researcher. Her X handle:FehmidaRiaz