The day has finally arrived in Islamic Republic of Pakistan when transgender being the biggest identified gender minority have been able to achieve their basic human rights after a long debate with Administrative authorities, and struggles and sacrifices of transgender activists and community. The bill named “Transgender Protection Rights Bill 2018” has been passed with majority in the National Assemble of Pakistan. The same bill was passed earlier in Senate also. Finally the bill has now became a law as The President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed it.
The entire transgender community is celebrating this achievement and almost every activist and coordinating people are throwing parties as this event is one of its kind in the history of Pakistan.
Now I’m stronger
I woke up one fine morning of 8th May, 2018 and my facebook profile was full of news, posts and celebration pictures from almost every city of the country. A history was made. I could understand and relate to the happiness of every activist who has been the source in this achievement. Very soon the same kind of morning came again when an article by Thomson Reuters Foundation News confirmed that the bill passed by senate and parliament has finally become a law.
All of a sudden I started feeling safe, I was more confident to go out as a transgender woman. I was surer that I can live a life of my own. I now had a legal power to respond to all those who could bully me for being a transgender. I was feeling more empowered now because all the victims of brutality from my community who were coming to me for help will have a proper legal channel to follow.
A developing situation
The bill which is now a Law is based on extensive research and collaboration from the transgender community so that no one’s view stays ignored. For decades transgender have faced the worst form of humiliation and human rights violations such as rape, murder and public harassment. But the scenario in Pakistan is all set to change. Pakistan has evolved into one the most progressive nations in the world as far as recognition of transgenders as equal citizens and giving them equal human rights.
This also shows a great improvement in overall Queer community in the country; however a lot is yet to be done. I have concerns that this law will take years to get implemented on grass root level. Pakistan is a developing nation and overall the nation is all set to gear up for a lot of development phases in the years to come. Racism and nationalism is still an issue in the country, as lot of Hazara minority in Quetta face negligence from the establishment but at the same time one of the biggest women march (#auratmarch) took place in the country this year.
Pakistani transgender community is consistent in fighting for their rights. That’s the beauty of my community, we have faced everything which could destroy us but we all have stood up after every obstacle. The overall response from the society is overwhelming. Although the transgenders still face threats from religious extremists, even the Bill (now a Law) passed with majority in national assembly the biggest religious opposition party was against few of the major clauses of the bill which also included self-determination of one’s gender.
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Gaining visibility
But the good part is that transgenders have started showing up in the mainstream society. Kami Sid is one of the best examples. She is first transgender model in the entire Muslim world and also a big name in LGBTQ activism in Pakistan. Marvia Malik is the first transgender news caster in Pakistan. These young activists need a big hand of applause as they stood for their identity and became the face of entire transgender community of Pakistan in front of civil society
I have a firm belief that NGO sector in Pakistan has played a vital role in highlighting issues related to this gender minority, for instance Naz Male Health Alliance which is the pioneer human rights organization in Pakistan as far as gender minority issues are concerned. The awareness created by Naz helped queer community to get out of the box and show the world the true colors of rainbow.
A promising future
At times it look more like a dream that today Pakistan has recognized transgenders and have given them all rights to live freely in the country. Now they have right to vote and participate in elections, they have right to educate themselves anywhere in the country and work anywhere they want to. This is really a big achievement and hopefully this is just the beginning to another era for the Pakistani society.
I believe in positive change and giving chances to new faces from the transgender community and for that I am all set to start a theatrical production company under which will be presenting theatrical plays highlighting gender minority issues and bringing them to main stream society.
I hope to see Pakistan a safe and progressive place for everyone in future. Although to reach that level a lot of sacrifices are still required and a lot is yet to be done, but I am sure it is all because of the positive approach that this much has been achieved and only the optimistic approach will help us achieve new milestones in future.
Khursand Bayar Ali *
©2018 Il Grande Colibrì
* The article is written by Khursand Bayar Ali (mail), a transgender activist from Lahore Pakistan. She is founder of Noutankey Productions, the first theatrical production company in Pakistan founded by a transgender woman. Along with that she is Board Member of Dareecha Male Health Society. She is well known in the trans community of Pakistan because of her years of expertise in HIV control programs, sex education and health awareness amongst transgender community and participation in national and international transgender rights forums.
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