ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Transgender (TG) Community, members from civil society and media participated at a sensitization training session in Islamabad, hosted by Dareecha Health Society to discuss fair treatment and devising friendly policies for gender minorities.
The session was aimed at promoting empowerment and fulfillment of TG community rights given to them by “TRANSGENDER PERSONS (PROTECTION OF RIGHTS) ACT, 2018”
Issues persisting regarding the implementation of ACT have been discussed amongst the participants e.g. getting equal rights, freedom of expression, health services, education, inheritance, employment and fundamental rights etc. according to the ACT.
Pakistan’s Parliament passed a landmark bill on May, 2018 that gives the Country’s transgender citizens fundamental rights.
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act allows people to choose their gender and to have that identity recognized on official documents, including national IDs, passports and driver’s licenses. The bill prohibits discrimination in schools, at work, on public modes of transit and while receiving medical care.
The measure also says that transgender people cannot be deprived of the right to vote or run for office. It lays out their rights to inheritance, in accordance with their chosen gender. And it obligates the government to establish “Protection Centers and Safe Houses” along with separate prisons, jails or places of confinement.
Dareecha Health Society (DHS), an organization solely working on health conditions, health restoration and social welfare of Transgender of Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Founded in 2012, with a vision of promoting and imparting better health facilities, awareness of Human rights and well-being of Transgender community.
On the occasion, Raheem Baloch, a development professional and researcher, presented the findings and infographic report of recently conducted first national level comprehensive study on “Bullying and Harassment of Sexual and Gender Minorities in Pakistan”. Which is aimed to be formally launched in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi later this year.
For more information about Dareecha work, please click here: https://www.facebook.com/DMHSRwp/
