Violence against Transgender Community in Rawalpindi, Pakistan 2021 to 2023 Report by Nasir Malik

Violence against Transgender Community in Rawalpindi, Pakistan 2021 to 2023

Report Prepared by Nasir Malik, Media and Communication Specialist

Overview

Violence against the transgender community is a grave concern in many parts of the world, including Rawalpindi. Transgender individuals often face discrimination, harassment, and physical violence due to their gender identity. Transgender people are those who identify with a gender different from the one assigned to them at birth. They face discrimination, stigma, and violence in Pakistan. In this article, we will focus on the situation of transgender people in Rawalpindi, a city in the Punjab province of Pakistan, and the challenges they face in terms of safety, health, education, and employment. We will also highlight some of the initiatives and efforts that are being taken to protect and empower the transgender community in Rawalpindi.

Gender-based violence against transgender individuals is a pervasive issue in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Here are some brief headings and information on recent incidents of discrimination. Gender-based violence against transgender individuals is a severe and pervasive issue in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Transgender individuals often face discrimination, harassment, and marginalization due to their gender identity. They are denied access to education, employment opportunities, and healthcare. This lack of access often leaves them with no option but to engage in sex work, which exposes them to further violence and exploitation.

Context

Violence against the transgender community?is a grave concern in many parts of the world, including Rawalpindi. Transgender individuals often face discrimination, harassment, and physical violence due to their gender identity. Here are some points you might consider including in your report:

1. Incidents and Patterns: Document specific incidents of violence, such as physical assaults, verbal abuse, or denial of basic rights. Highlight patterns and trends to emphasize the severity of the issue.
2. Legal Framework: Explore the legal protections (or lack thereof) for transgender individuals in Rawalpindi. Discuss any existing laws or policies that address violence against them.
3. Social Stigma: Describe the social stigma faced by transgender people. Discuss how negative attitudes contribute to their vulnerability.
4. Healthcare Access: Investigate access to healthcare services for transgender individuals. Violence can impact their physical and mental health, so understanding healthcare barriers is crucial.
5. Community Support: Highlight any support networks, NGOs, or community organizations working to address violence against transgender individuals. Their efforts can be a beacon of hope.

Pakistan is one of the few countries in the world that legally recognizes the third gender, or transgender (khawaja sira), as a category of citizens. The term khawaja sira encompasses a range of identities, such as transgender women, transgender men, intersex people, and cross-dressers.?According to the 2017 census, there are about 10,418 khawaja sira people in Pakistan, out of which 1,133 live in Rawalpindi. However, these numbers are likely to be underreported, as many transgender people do not register themselves due to fear of harassment or lack of awareness.

Discrimination and Marginalization: Transgender individuals in Rawalpindi are often subjected to discrimination and marginalization due to their gender identity. They are denied access to education, employment opportunities, and healthcare. According to a report published in September 2022, the transgender community in Pakistan, including Rawalpindi, is under constant threat. The report states that the transgender community faces a high risk of violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear of retaliation and lack of trust in law enforcement agencies.

Physical and Sexual Violence: Transgender individuals in Rawalpindi also face physical and sexual violence. They are often subjected to harassment, assault, and rape. Transgender individuals in Rawalpindi also face physical and sexual violence. They are often subjected to harassment, assault, and rape. In October 2021, a transgender activist was beaten and robbed by a group of men in Rawalpindi.

Police Brutality: The police in Rawalpindi often target transgender individuals, subjecting them to harassment, extortion, and physical abuse. The police in Rawalpindi also target transgender individuals, subjecting them to torture. There have been several incidents where the police have raided transgender gatherings and arrested and beaten individuals. There have been several incidents where the police have raided transgender gatherings and arrested and beaten individuals.

Lack of Legal Protections: There is a lack of legal protections for transgender individuals in Rawalpindi. They are not recognized as a separate gender under Pakistani law, and there are no laws that specifically protect them from discrimination and violence. Moreover, there is a lack of legal protections for transgender individuals in Rawalpindi. They are not recognized as a separate gender under Pakistani law, and there are no laws that specifically protect them from discrimination and violence. In August 2021, a transgender woman was shot and killed in Rawalpindi, and in December 2021, the body of another transgender person was found hanging from a tree.

Violence against Transgender Community in Rawalpindi 2021 to 2023

Despite the legal recognition, transgender people in Pakistan face widespread social exclusion, marginalization, and violence. They are often rejected by their families, forced to leave their homes, and denied access to education, health care, and employment. Many of them resort to begging, dancing, or sex work as their only means of survival. They are also vulnerable to physical and sexual abuse, extortion, and murder by the police, criminals, and religious extremists.?According to a report by Trans Action Pakistan, a network of transgender activists, at least 73 transgender people were killed in Pakistan between 2015 and 2019.?In 2021, the Human Rights advocacy group, tracked a record number of violent fatal incidents against transgender and gender non-conforming people worldwide, with 59 fatalities. In 2022, the number of fatalities increased to 41. In 2023, the number of fatalities reached 25 by October. The majority of these victims were people of color, and more than half were Black transgender women.

Violence in Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi is one of the largest and most populous cities in Pakistan, with a population of about 2.1 million people. It is also one of the most conservative and religious cities, where transgender people face hostility and intolerance from the society. According to a survey conducted by the Rawalpindi Transgender Welfare Association (RTWA), a local organization that works for the rights and welfare of transgender people, about 80% of transgender people in Rawalpindi have experienced some form of violence in their lives. The survey also revealed that about 60% of transgender people in Rawalpindi have been sexually assaulted, 40% have been physically assaulted, and 20% have been subjected to acid attacks.

Recent Incidents: In August 2021, a transgender woman was shot and killed in Rawalpindi. In October 2021, a transgender activist was beaten and robbed by a group of men in Rawalpindi. These incidents highlight the ongoing violence and discrimination faced by transgender individuals in the city.

In a recent incident reported this year, a transgender person was arrested in Rawalpindi for allegedly posing as a mosque imam. The incident highlights the continued discrimination and marginalization of the transgender community in Pakistan. It is crucial to recognize and address the systemic discrimination and violence against transgender individuals in Rawalpindi and Pakistan. The government must take steps to provide legal protections and ensure the safety and security of transgender individuals. Public awareness campaigns should also be launched to promote acceptance and tolerance of the transgender community. Only by addressing these issues can we create a society that values and respects the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.

Some of the recent incidents of violence against transgender people in Rawalpindi are as follows:

• On January 5, 2021, a transgender woman named Alisha was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the Dhoke Kala Khan area of Rawalpindi. Alisha was a dancer and a sex worker, and she was returning home from a wedding function when she was attacked. The police registered a case of murder, but no arrests were made.
• On March 12, 2021, a transgender woman named Zara was stabbed to death by her boyfriend in the Ratta Amral area of Rawalpindi. Zara was also a dancer and a sex worker, and she had an argument with her boyfriend over money. The police arrested the suspect and recovered the murder weapon.
• On June 15, 2021, a transgender woman named Sonia was gang-raped by four men in the Pirwadhai area of Rawalpindi. Sonia was a beggar, and she was abducted by the men who took her to a deserted place and raped her. The police registered a case of rape, but no arrests were made.
• On September 21, 2021, a transgender woman named Nomi was beaten up by a mob in the Saddar area of Rawalpindi. Nomi was a dancer, and she was performing at a wedding function when some men started harassing her. When she resisted, they attacked her with sticks and stones. The police intervened and rescued her, but no action was taken against the assailants.
• On November 3, 2021, a transgender woman named Sana was shot and injured by a man in the Chaklala area of Rawalpindi. Sana was a sex worker, and she had a dispute with the man over payment. The man shot her in the leg and fled the scene. The police registered a case of attempted murder, but no arrests were made.

These are just some of the examples of the violence that transgender people face in Rawalpindi on a regular basis. Many more cases go unreported or unnoticed by the media and the authorities. The perpetrators of these crimes often enjoy impunity, as the police are either reluctant or biased to investigate and prosecute them. The transgender community also faces difficulties in accessing justice, as they are often denied legal aid, medical care, and protection by the state institutions. The transgender community also suffers from stigma, discrimination, and harassment from the society, which limits their opportunities and choices in life.

Impact of Violence: The violence against the transgender community in Rawalpindi and across Pakistan has had a devastating impact on their lives, health, dignity, and security.?Many transgender people have been killed, injured, raped, tortured, kidnapped, and extorted by perpetrators who often act with impunity1. The violence also affects their mental health, as they suffer from trauma, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. The violence also limits their access to education, employment, health care, and social services, as they face discrimination, stigma, and harassment in these sectors. The violence also erodes their sense of belonging and identity, as they are rejected by their families, communities, and society at large.

Legal Protections: The legal protections that are available to transgender individuals in Pakistan are mainly based on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018, which was passed by the parliament to legally provide equality and safeguard the rights of transgender people. The act allows transgender people to self-identify their gender on official documents, such as CNIC, passport, and driving license, without requiring any medical intervention or certification. The act also prohibits discrimination and harassment of transgender people in public and private spheres, and guarantees their rights to inherit, to education, to employment, to vote, to hold public office, to health, to assembly, to access public places, to property, and to fundamental rights. The act also obliges the government to establish safe houses, provide medical and educational facilities, and offer psychotherapy to transgender people. The act also prescribes offences and penalties for violating the rights of transgender people, and establishes an enforcement mechanism to monitor and implement the act. However, the effectiveness of the act has been challenged by the Federal Shariat Court (FSC), which is a constitutional court that examines laws to ensure compliance with Shariah (Islamic law) and the transgender activists have filled petition and now the case is in Supreme Court.

Advocacy and Support: There are several organizations and individuals who are working to promote the rights of transgender people in Pakistan. Some of them are:

Saro Imran, a transgender youth advocate and social entrepreneur for the rights and empowerment of transgender people in Multan, Pakistan. She is working with several local and international organizations, such as Rutgers Pakistan, AwazCDS-Pakistan, Family Planning 2030, Commonwealth Youth Network for Gender Equality, and International Youth Alliance for Family Planning.?She is also the first transgender person to represent the marginalized community in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s city council.

TransAction Alliance, a network of transgender activists and organizations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province bordering Afghanistan. They have been campaigning for the rights and protection of transgender people, especially against the rising tide of violence and discrimination in the region.?They have also been providing legal, medical, and psychological support to the victims of violence.

Khawaja Sira Society, a community-based organization that works for the welfare and empowerment of transgender people in Pakistan. They provide education, health care, vocational training, and advocacy services to transgender people.?They also organize cultural events, such as the Transgender Pride Parade, to celebrate and raise awareness about the transgender community.

To summarize, the article discusses the topic of violence against the transgender community in Rawalpindi and explains why it is important to address this issue. It describes the impact that this violence has had on the transgender community in terms of their lives, health, dignity, and security. It also discusses the legal protections that are available to transgender individuals in Pakistan and how effective they have been, especially in light of the recent verdict by the Federal Shariat Court that struck down some core sections of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018. It also highlights some of the organizations and individuals who are working to promote the rights of transgender people in Pakistan and to provide them with support and empowerment. The article emphasizes the importance of addressing violence and discrimination against the transgender community in Rawalpindi and across Pakistan, as it is a matter of justice, dignity, inclusion, development, and international obligation.

Initiatives and Efforts

Despite the challenges and hardships, the transgender community in Rawalpindi is not giving up on their struggle for dignity and rights. They are organizing themselves, raising their voices, and demanding their inclusion and recognition in the society. Some of the initiatives and efforts that are being taken to protect and empower the transgender community in Rawalpindi are as follows:

The Rawalpindi Transgender Welfare Association (RTWA) is a local organization that works for the rights and welfare of transgender people in Rawalpindi. It provides legal, medical, and psychological support to the transgender victims of violence, and also runs a shelter home for the homeless and needy transgender people. It also conducts awareness campaigns and advocacy programs to educate the society and the authorities about the issues and challenges faced by the transgender community.

The Rawalpindi Transgender School (RTS) is a unique initiative that provides free education and vocational training to the transgender people in Rawalpindi. It was established in 2018 by a transgender activist named Asif Shahzad, who is also the principal of the school. The school offers courses in English, Urdu, mathematics, computer skills, sewing, cooking, and beautician skills. It also provides books, uniforms, and transportation facilities to the students. The school aims to empower the transgender people with knowledge and skills, and to enable them to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

The Rawalpindi Transgender Cricket Team (RTCT) is a sports team that promotes the participation and inclusion of transgender people in cricket, which is the most popular and widely played game in Pakistan. It was formed in 2019 by a transgender cricketer named Nisha Rao, who is also the captain of the team. The team consists of 16 transgender players, who practice regularly and participate in various tournaments and matches. The team also serves as a platform for the transgender people to showcase their talent and potential, and to challenge the stereotypes and prejudices that exist in the society.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, violence against transgender individuals is a global issue, and Rawalpindi is no exception. The points mentioned in your report are crucial for raising awareness and advocating for change. By shedding light on incidents, legal protections, social stigma, healthcare access, and community support, we can work towards a safer and more inclusive environment for transgender people.

Addressing violence against transgender individuals requires a multifaceted approach, including legal reforms, education, and community support.

Transgender people are an integral and valuable part of the human diversity, and they deserve respect, acceptance, and protection from the society. Violence against transgender people is a violation of their human rights, and it must be prevented and punished by the law. The transgender community in Rawalpindi is facing a lot of difficulties and dangers, but they are also fighting back and making progress. They are creating spaces and opportunities for themselves, and they are contributing to the social and economic development of the city. They are also inspiring and influencing other transgender people across the country and the world. They are not victims, but survivors and leaders. They are not a problem, but a solution. They are not a curse, but a blessing. They are not a burden, but an asset. They are not a minority, but a majority. They are not invisible, but visible. They are not silent, but loud. They are not alone, but together. They are not weak, but strong. They are not hopeless, but hopeful. They are not transgender, but human.

Report prepared by: Nasir Iqbal Malik, Media and Communication Professional, [email protected]