Transcending Binaries for Gender Justice in Pakistan

In Pakistan, the journey of the transgender community toward equality and inclusion has been an uphill battle, one that many have faced alone. For countless transgender individuals, discrimination begins at birth and often starts within their own homes. Family estrangement locks them into a lifetime of socio-economic hardship, leaving little access to the basic human rights of education, healthcare, and dignity. Despite Pakistan's constitutional guarantee of fundamental rights for every citizen, transgender people frequently find themselves on the fringes.

Exclusion by Design: The Struggle for Access and Recognition

The realities on the ground are sobering: transgender people are often excluded from the support networks that sustain others. TransAction Pakistan reports that just 221 transgender individuals are registered as beneficiaries[1] of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) - a meagre fraction of the estimated half a million who could benefit. Why? For many, lacking a digital national identity card is a simple yet devastating barrier that shuts them out from getting access to government programs like flood relief and solar panel distribution schemes.

Ten years ago, Pakistan's census officially recognized transgender people for the first time. Only 21,774 individuals were listed - a number many within the community argue is a gross underestimation. TransAction Pakistan and other organizations speculate there may be many more, though the results of the latest 2023 national census have yet to be fully released.

Such underreporting relegates transgender individuals to social invisibility, perpetuating a cycle of marginalization. Alarmingly, 92%[2] of transgender people report experiencing violence or abuse, over 80% report being denied employment opportunities due to their gender identity[3], and only 7% are employed in formal sectors. In the political sphere, their representation is nearly non-existent, with significant barriers to voting and contesting in elections. These challenges paint a bleak picture of the systemic discrimination faced by this community and highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions.

Legal Progress - and Battles Ahead

Pakistan has made strides in legally recognizing transgender rights, though obstacles persist. In 2012, the Supreme Court of Pakistan passed a landmark judgment[4] granting transgender people legal recognition as a third gender, paving the way for expanded rights. The 2018 Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act marked a significant breakthrough by permitting self-identification of gender without medical or psychological certification. However, enforcing these rights remains a challenge because of negative and discriminatory socio-culture attitudes towards transgenders.

UNDP's Commitment: Building Bridges to Empowerment

Recognizing these challenges, UNDP remains at the forefront, advocating for the inclusion of transgender people in political and social spheres. The Strengthening Electoral and Legislative Processes (SELP) project is one of the key initiatives working on advocacy, community engagement, and policy reform that seeks to ensure that transgender people are not left behind.

In 2018, UNDP supported the development of a Charter of Demands for Transgender Persons for the Election Commission of Pakistan and contributed to the enactment of the Transgender Protection Act. This landmark legislation marked a critical milestone for transgender citizenship rights, granting legal recognition and protection to the community. Building on this progress, a National Strategic Framework on Transgender Persons Protection and Political Inclusion was introduced in 2023. UNDP also collaborated with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to identify and dismantle barriers that had historically prevented transgender individuals from political participation.

Together, these initiatives have opened unprecedented avenues, creating tangible opportunities for political inclusion and social mobility within the transgender community. For the first time in Pakistan's history, five transgender candidates contested the General Elections in 2024. Chronicled by UNDP, this transformative journey of grassroots change-makers from the transgender community illustrates how legal reforms and institutional collaborations empower transgender individuals-not only as political leaders but as trailblazers driving meaningful change for their community.

Trailblazers of Transformation: Leading an Inclusive Pakistan

Trailblazers like Nayyab Ali and Sobia Khan, candidates supported by SELP, represent this transformative shift. By standing as political candidates, they defy stereotypes and underscore the possibilities of inclusive democracy.

Nayyab Ali's journey is a symbol of resilience and courage. After being estranged from her family at just 13, she faced unimaginable hardships, including an acid attack. Nevertheless, she persevered and earned a master's degree in international relations. In 2024, Nayyab contested two National Assembly seats in Islamabad, breaking ground as the first transgender candidate for this position. Her advocacy for reserved seats and political inclusion for transgender people have made her an iconic figure in the fight for equality and inclusion.

Another inspiring story is that of Sobia Khan. As Pakistan's first transgender radio jockey in the conservative Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Sobia faced constant discrimination. Undeterred, she earned a journalism degree and in 2024 ran as an independent candidate for a provincial assembly seat in PK-81, Peshawar. Her candidacy challenged entrenched societal prejudices, proving that transgender individuals should, and can, lead.

Towards True Transformation

While recent progress offers a glimpse of hope, the path to genuine change goes beyond laws-it requires a profound shift in societal attitudes. Building alliances across all segments of society-from grassroots activists to policymakers-is key to amplifying transgender voices and ensuring their meaningful participation in Pakistan's development. My experience shows that when given a platform, marginalized communities can become powerful drivers of change.

To create a truly inclusive political landscape, Pakistan needs to enforce existing legislation and introduce new measures, such as quotas and reserved seats for transgender people. Equally important is to ensure that transgender voters fully participate in elections. Taken together, these efforts signify a strong commitment to ensure each individual's perspective is respected and acknowledged.

UNDP's work with the transgender community reveals what's possible: with the right support, everyone, regardless of gender identity, can thrive. It is critical to persistently advocate for legislative reforms, broaden representation, and remove obstacles to political engagement. True transformation lies in this firm commitment to inclusivity, where every step taken brings us closer to a society that values and celebrates all its people. As Pakistan moves forward, UNDP remains committed to empowering transgender individuals, ensuring their rights are protected, their voices are heard, and their contributions are valued.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.