Pakistan to register ‘third sex’
July 19th, 2009
Pakistan’s transgender and eunuch community is to be officially surveyed and registered, following a Supreme Court ruling.
The trans/eunuch community, sometimes called ‘the third sex’ or known collectively as ‘hijras’ in Pakistan, will be surveyed as part of a Government drive to offer better protection. It will record hijras’ family origins and look into their living and working conditions.
The ruling was prompted by an incident at a wedding in January 2009, when a group of hijras were beaten and robbed by police.
Hijras in Pakistan are commonly discriminated against, being refused permission to rent or buy properties or enter schools and hospitals. Many are also denied formal burial rites.
Hijra rights group, the Shemale Rights Association has welcomed the Supreme Court ruling.
“This is the first time in history that any official has even thought about us,” said the association’s Chairperson, Almas Bobby.
“The chief justice’s decision will give us a whole new identity, as a recognised minority. We will be able to build on that and get our rights.
“We want separate residential colonies because, generally, people don’t want us in their neighbourhoods. We need separate hospitals in each city. Our people don’t like to go to male colleges because they get teased, so we need separate schools, too. We also need separate graveyards.
“Our conditions are very bad. Sometimes our people have no money to pay their rent or eat. We cannot visit good doctors or private hospitals, but when we go to government hospitals they mock and shout at us.”
[via The National]
My understanding of the hijras is limited, but I believe they’re encouraged to dance at weddings for good luck. It is bizarre to me that people who are valued in one context are treated so vilely in others.
Good luck to them.
K ∼ July 28th, 2009 8:18 pmChief Justice has proved himthe chief of Hijras rather all of citizens. He might have also protected the righhts of peoples being buthered under his nose.
Suliamna Shah ∼ August 18th, 2009 9:54 am