Trans community urges govt to act on rights commitments

The representatives of transgender community have urged the Sindh government to implement existing policies and improve access to education, employment, healthcare, housing and social protection. The demands were presented at the Sindh Transgender Summit, organised by the Legal Aid Society (LAS) in partnership with Gender Interactive Alliance (GIA) under the Aawaz II programme. The summit brought together community representatives, government officials, civil society organisations and development partners to discuss gaps between legal protections and their implementation. Aradhiya Khan presented the community's five-point charter, which calls for emergency safe houses managed by transgender-led organisations; full implementation of Sindh's Transgender Education Policy; enforcement of the 0.5 per cent government employment quota without discriminatory medical certification requirements; dedicated wards in public hospitals; and the inclusion of registered Khawaja Sira individuals in the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). The charter also calls for scholarships and protection against discrimination in educational institutions, gender-affirming and sensitive healthcare, and immediate financial assistance. During a panel discussion on lived experiences, participants highlighted the need for police sensitisation, transgender focal persons in every district, vocational training and government funding for community-led initiatives. Sindh Social Welfare Secretary Munawar Ali Mithani acknowledged the gap between legal commitments and the community's experiences and said the government was committed to addressing the issues raised. "Things can be done when we put our heads together. The government, NGOs, civil society and the transgender community must work collectively to turn rights into real opportunities through safe spaces, skills development, education and employment," he said. NADRA Director General Amir Ali Khan said the authority would work with the Social Welfare Department and relevant stakeholders to identify gaps in registration and access to services and review policies to make services more accessible. The summit also featured a discussion on field realities, a community address and a theatre performance highlighting the experiences of transgender people. Legal Aid Society CEO Haya Emaan Zahid said the organisation would continue monitoring government commitments and providing legal aid and advocacy support. The summit concluded with calls for continued monitoring and concrete measures to address barriers faced by the Khawaja Sira community across Sindh.