HYDERABAD: Speakers at a policy dialogue on Friday regretted that legislation had been done for the rights of transgender persons in the country, but it was not being implemented.

Speaking at the programme, organised by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) at the local press club on Friday, they discussed on the topic of “Socio-economic Rights of Transgender Persons”.

The speakers included Hyderabad Deputy Mayor Saghir Qureshi, HRCP coordinator Imdad Chandio, Zulfikar Halepoto, Woman Action Forum activist Amar Sindhu, Meer Mangrio advocate, HRCP council members Parveen Soomro and Saleem Jarwar and transgender Sana Asghar.

They said that as long as trans persons were not economically empowered, they would not be able to get their rights. They said that a law was passed by parliament in 2018 for trans persons, but that was opposed by ‘fundamentalists’.

They noted that trans persons were facing the issues of serious nature in terms of income and adjustment in society.

They called for raising a collective voice for transgender persons. Serious steps were needed for the protection of their social and economic well-being, they said, adding that they were badly affected in terms of livelihood and societal issues.

The speakers said the HRCP had always played its role for their fundamental rights because they were equal citizens of the country.

They pointed out that the PPP had done legislation for their rights, and said that society needed to do away with gender discrimination.

They said that in the past, trans persons had always been treated in a friendly manner and with due respect by elders, but then society witnessed hate and polarisation. That hate targeted and affected trans persons the most, they said.

Transgender Sana Asghar said her community was being deprived of its identity. She said they were also part of the society and could play their due role in the development and progress of the country.

Others who also spoke included Nazish Fatima, Zulfikar Qadri, Shafqat Solangi and Qurratul Ain Shah.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2023