Shakila, a trans women from the Peshawar region, spoke to English language publication The News: ‘We are the most unfortunate human beings on earth because neither the federal nor the provincial government has bothered to consider our plight. The government and the philanthropists are giving relief packages to others, but have ignored us as if we are not humans.’
Before lockdown some trans women were able to work, but many have to resort to begging. Those able to save a little money do so to pay for treatment. Shakila added: ‘It hurt us when the federal and provincial governments announced relief packages for industrialists and government servants, but ignored the most neglected section of the society.’
The country has an estimated half a million trans people, which dwarfs the official statistic of over 10,000. Free healthcare was extended to trans Pakistanis in January but there’s still much to be done for the community. It’s thought that 7% of trans people in Pakistan are HIV positive, and globally trans people are 49 times more likely to be living with HIV than the general population.
Poshida, a ground-breaking independent documentary, follows LGBTQ+ individuals in Pakistan, explores their history, culture and challenges and examines sexuality and gender identities in south Asia and discusses colonialism, religion, class and the influence of US foreign policy. To view it, visit Facebook @PoshidaFilm
FemSoc LUMS, a feminist student society at Lahore University of Management Sciences, is fundraising to provide emergency rations of food and soap for the transgender community. Donations can be made via Facebook @FemSocLUMS