few years ago to verify our gender identity, I stormed the NADRA office to demand if men and women were asked to do the same. I take great pride that while earlier there were none like me, now there are many who are out there to raise our voice.
“Soon we would not rely solely on women or men to speak on our behalf, rather members of our own community would be in a position to solve our problems.” Representing the Sindh Transgender Network, Shahzadi Rai said their community members must not be targeted ruthlessly just because they were trying to support themselves.
“It’s not a new fact that there are close to no job opportunities for us. “If some of us attend functions to feed ourselves, we shouldn’t be shot or harassed, as it has been witnessed lately.”
She mentioned that in the past two years 53 cases of murder had been reported in Peshawar alone, and similar instances were now being seen in other cities. She remarked that it was amusing to see many organisations show an interest in fighting for their rights to push their own interests.
“There are two extremes: either we’re completely ignored or we’re given so much attention that it seems the entire year’s quota is being appropriated in a single day.” Nuzhat Shireen, chairperson of the Sindh Commission on the Status of Women, said the provincial body would also extend participation to members of the transgender community and would be glad to have their representative as well.
MPA Saira Shahliani of the Sindh Women’s Parliamentary Caucus also assured her full support, saying that the transgender community must not be treated with indifference. Activist Naghma Sheikh felt that while it would be difficult to get rid of transphobia, it could still be possible to achieve by paving the way for an all-gender inclusive society. A documentary titled ‘Wujood’, part of the Aks International Minorities Festival, about self-love was also screened at the event.