Rawish | Jan - Mar 2024

JAN - MAR 2024

MAY 2024 | Vol 02

روش

This e-bulletin has been produced by HOPE, with the support of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), as an initiative under Project ADAL to raise awareness on the rights of transgender people in Pakistan. “Rawish” (literally, ‘pathway’), signifies course of manners, behaviors or customs — a way of being; this e-bulletin similarly seeks to forge pathways for marginalized transgender identities within the mainstream.

RAWISH

QUARTERLY E-BULLETIN

TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY

31ST MARCH

What's Inside ?

The Transgender Woman - Reem Sharif Appointed as Deputy Director at The Trangender Protection Centre.

Transgender woman Nayyab Ali has founded a shelter house and has been appointed as the head of the Gender Department in Tahafuz Centre.

The first transgender person, Ms Reem Sharif, has been appointed as Deputy Director of Pakistan’s first Transgender Protection Center on the Basic Pay Scale-18 by the Government of Pakistan.

Project ADAL proudly dedicates this edition of the E-Bulletin to honoring the invaluable contributions of transgender individuals. Their unwavering dedication and hard work have been instrumental in advancing the movement toward greater equality and acceptance for all. Today, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of those who have courageously taken on official roles within the government or have diligently advocated for transgender rights within state structures. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to those who have smoothed the path for the flourishing of the transgender community. Their efforts serve to amplify the visibility and representation of transgender individuals, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and equitable society.

Ms. Ali founded a school as a safe space for Khawaja Sira, providing Quran education and shelter for transgender women. She also heads the Transgender Protection Unit in Islamabad Police, bridging the gap between the community and law enforcement.

Transgender Organization Appointed As Election Day Observer.

The Elections Act 2017 encourages the participation of transgender individuals, persons with disabilities, and minority communities in the democratic process. As an illustration of this, members of these minority groups are appointed as election day observers. Their role is to provide unbiased reports on the fairness of the elections, free from any discrimination based on gender, disability, or belief.

40 Transgender Individuals Appointed as VSOs at Tahafuz Centers.

In a recent development in Peshawar, a significant step forward has been taken with the introduction of Transgender Desks in three police stations within the city. This progressive initiative aims to promote inclusivity and address the specific concerns of the transgender community within the law enforcement framework.

CM Punjab, Maryam Nawaz's Commitment to Transgender Inclusion and Social Reform

In her inaugural speech, Maryam Nawaz, the CM of Punjab, prioritized integrating transgender individuals, She stressed comprehensive reforms for transgender inclusion.

Transgender woman Nayyab Ali has founded a shelter house and has been appointed as the head of the Gender Department.

Ms. Ali founded the school as a space where members of the Khawaja Sira – a centuries-old term that has come to describe transgender and third-gender communities in Pakistan – could come together and learn the Quran in a safe environment. It also doubles as a shelter where transgender women can stay if they are left with nowhere to go, something Ms. Ali describes as a frequent occurrence.

Many of those who come to stay in the shelter first encounter Ms. Ali in her role as the head of the Transgender Protection Unit of the Islamabad Police. The department – the first of its kind in the country – was created to eliminate the gap between the community and law enforcement by placing a trans woman as the first point of contact for victims. This center is unique in its aim to support gender-diverse individuals. It offers more than just physical complaint mechanisms; complaints can also be submitted through their online system.

The Transgender Woman - Reem Sharif Appointed as Deputy Director at The Trangender Protection Centre.

In a historic move, Ms. Reem Sharif has been appointed as Deputy Director of Pakistan’s inaugural Transgender Protection Center by the Government of Pakistan, with a Basic Pay Scale-18 designation. The center, established by the Ministry of Human Rights in Islamabad, will be led by Ms. Reem.

This appointment marks the first time in Pakistan's history that a transgender person has been employed by the government in such a high-ranking position. Ms. Reem holds two master’s degrees, one in International Relations and the other in Gender and Women's Studies.