LAHORE: Around 175,000 gypsies in Lahore are bereft of basic facilities and do not have access to their rights, according to a non-governmental organisation (NGO) working with the community.

Since there is no exact data of the nationwide gypsy population, the community demands it be concluded in the next census.

Grassroot Organisation for Development of Human being (GODH) observed Gypsy Day at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan on Saturday where the gypsies’ way of life was shown through a cultural festival. This year’s theme was the gypsies’ inclusion in the upcoming census.

“The gypsies are so badly marginalised by the state and society alike that they are treated as untouchables and not much is known about them either,” said Mahreen from GODH. “We know a little about the gypsies in Lahore but there are in fact so many more all over the country. Because there is no census, there is no allocation of budget for them and the government has no programmes for them.”

“As a community, they do not have access to, nor are they aware of, their rights,” said Nazir Ahmad Ghazi, the head of GODH.

As a result, women and children remain the most vulnerable, who are often subject to violence, abuse and other problems. Children are exposed to illnesses and even wild animals.

Rani, a gypsy, said her daughter was six months old when a stray dog took her away from their home. Someone saw it and saved the child, but the child, 11 years old now, still had a scar on her face.

Other gypsies said their young children often fell victim to drugs. Besides, health issues such as hepatitis and other problems also formed a huge part of the problem.

“Because we do not have identity cards, our children do not have birth certificates and their education is a big challenge for us,” says Asad, a gypsy. “We are receiving non-formal education through settlement schools but how will our children ever manage to get into the mainstream?”

They also grapple with physical and sexual abuse along with harassment, especially when they beg from door to door.

“It is a myth that gypsies like to travel; it is only because we do not earn enough that we need to keep changing places,” Asad added.

Ghazi said that if transgender persons would be included in the census then gypsies, who were equally, if not more, marginalised should also be included.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2017