The Ministry of Human Rights with the support of United Nations Development Program, organised a ceremony to launch Eid Relief Packages for COVID-19 affected transgender persons. The beneficiaries were identified through a preliminary socio-economic rapid need assessment for COVID 19 to address and cater to the most vulnerable transgender persons, led and driven by the transgender community.
MOHR and UNDP have identified civil society partners who are also members of Ministry of Human Rights National implementation Committee and focal points in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to conduct the assessment. A total of 120 ration bags will be distributed to the transgender persons identified through the need based assessment. The remaining individual relief packages were handed over to focal persons for distribution to deserving members of the population.
Ms. Bubbli Malik committee member from Punjab and Ms Nadeem Kashish committee member from Islamabad conducted the survey among 75 transgender persons in Islamabad & Rawalpindi to identify the needs of the grass root level trans community during this pandemic.
United Nations Development Program Consultant Ms. Nayyab Ali has coordinated the assessment while Ms. Aisha Mughal from Ministry of Human Rights along with the relevant United Nations Development Program and United Nations Population Fund team members is overseeing the process.
Federal Secretary for Human Rights Ms. Rabiya Javeri Agha distributed ration bags to three transgenders at the ceremony. Speaking at the event, she reiterated the commitment of the state to protect the rights of transgender persons. "MoHR constituted a National Implementation Committee under the Transgender Persons Act 2018. Pakistan has one of the most progressive transgender laws, granting transgender persons equal rights, including the right to self-identification of gender. Provincial Consultation meetings have been conducted in all four provinces in order to reduce Transphobic stigma and discrimination with Transgender community. Police sensitization sessions and consultations have also been conducted to finalize guidelines for police engagement with transgenders in the Islamabad Capital Territory. These are critical steps towards the realization of equal rights for the transgender community in Pakistan"
Federal Minister for Human Rights, Shireen Mazari, stated that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was trying its best to ensure that transgender persons are recognised as equal citizens of the state. “The transgender community in Pakistan, one of the most marginalised sections of the country - has continued to raise concerns regarding economic impact ever since the lockdown was announced. Targeted intervention to alleviate the plight of these persons are necessary.”
She further said, "MoHR is also establishing Protection Centers for Transgender Persons in order to provide shelter, rehabilitation and other medical and psychological care. Separate Wards have also been opened at PIMS for the members of Transgender Community. These are concrete measures that will help guarantee that the rights of transgender persons are protected in Pakistan."
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