November 25, 2024
By Rashid Leghari
HYDERABAD
On the first day of the 16 Days of Activism against GBV, a grand rally was organized by the khawajasirah community in Rani Bagh, Hyderabad, as part of the Sindh Moorat March.
While the event featured vibrant dance performances and chants, it also aimed to draw attention to the community’s pressing demands.
Community leader Bindiya Rana, who holds the status of a Guru Mother, recalled that the struggle for their rights, practically began from after a press conference they organized in 2009. She demanded that the government should fix one day for commemorating transgender persons.
“We want the government to dedicate a day to khwajasirahs,” said Bindiya Rana. “That’s why we are organizing this Moorat March.”
Before this the march had been held in Karachi but this year it was held in Hyderebad for the first time.
Transgender rights activist Maryam Sheikh and KMC City Council Member Shahzadi Rai moderated the event. Rai explained that the march has 12 demands for the government. “We’re not making grand demands. All we want is to be treated with dignity and respect like all human beings,” she said.
Sana Khan, a transgender rights activist from Hyderabad, emphasized the need for quotas in the provincial assembly and other institutions for the transgender community.
“Criteria for gender ‘recognition’ should also be eliminated,” she added.
Hyderabad Town Municipal Corporation member Zeresh Khanzadi said that they had presented 12 demands, out of which three had been approved, while the struggle was ongoing to get the remaining demands approved.
DEMANDS
The Sindh Moorat March presented 12 key demands to the government, seeking equal rights and protections for the transgender community. These demands include: legislation to criminalise all forms of discrimination and hate speech; ensuring that the murders of khwajasirahs are not dismissed under the Qisas and Diyat law; allowing individuals to select the ‘X gender’ marker without medical gatekeeping; addressing the housing crisis by criminalizing discriminatory practices in housing markets; and instituting designated seating for khwajasirah individuals in all public transport within Sindh.
The Sindh Moorat March served as a platform for the transgender community to voice their concerns and demand equal rights. The event highlighted the community’s desire for recognition, respect, and inclusivity in society. The participants emphasized the need for the government to take concrete steps to address their demands and create a more equitable society for all.
The march highlighted the community’s struggles and resilience in the face of systemic discrimination and violence. As the movement gains momentum, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to these pressing demands for equality and justice.
The transgender community in Pakistan have historically been marginalized and faced discrimination, violence, and social ostracism. Despite these challenges, they have played significant roles in various aspects of Pakistani society, including arts, culture, and spirituality.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to recognize and protect the rights of the transgender community.
In 2018, Pakistan passed the Transgender Persons Act, which granted legal recognition to transgender identities and provided protections against discrimination. This landmark legislation was a significant step forward, but many challenges remain.