Khyber Pakhtunkhwa proposes 2% quota in government jobs for transgender community

Islamabad: In order to ensure the rights of the transgender community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the provincial Social Welfare Department has proposed a new policy guaranteeing themeducation opportunities, medical treatment, job quotas, health and insurance, etc.

The Social Welfare Department of the province has also sought the opinion of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the departments concerned.

According to the policy document, a 2 per cent quota in government jobs has been proposed for the transgender community.

It has also been recommended that the Industries, Commerce and Technical Education Department, as well as the department of education should set up separate schools and vocational centres at divisional headquarters level for the transgender people.

The document proposed that 1 per cent of the seats in schools and vocational centres be reserved for transgender folks who wish to pursue education and they should be given a 5 per cent share in scholarships.

The transgender community’s share should also be allocated for individuals in government housing schemes, says the document noting that the members of the community would have the right to vote, run in elections, and hold public offices.

A recommendation has been made in the policy document for transgender individuals to receive unemployment and health insurance, as well as hardship grants besides having a plan for provision of Rs2,000 (Dh46) to Rs 3,000 (Dh69) per month to unemployed transgender individuals over the age of 50.

The transgender persons would also be provided medical treatment, including protection against AIDS, as well as new gender reassignment facilities.

According to the KP Social Welfare Department Director Habib Khan Afridi the department of social welfare has sought recommendations on the policy draft from the relevant government departments and approval would be obtained from the provincial cabinet.

According to Bureau of Statistics’ figures there are around 10,418 transgender persons in Pakistan.

Recipient of the International Activist of the Year Award, Pakistan’s vocal transgender social activist and political worker, Nayyab Ali while welcoming the KP government’s move for transgender persons hoped soon it would be incorporated into provincial laws. However, he doubted if this law once came into being would be implemented in letter and spirit.

Pakistan’s transgender persons are facing issues of vulnerability, stigmatization, violence, discrimination and naming and shaming said Nayyab adding there was no let-up in attacks on transgender persons.

Nayyab differed with Bureau of Statistics’ figures of 10,418 transgender persons in Pakistan and said this number alone existed in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. According to our own estimates and organization of transgender persons, they are around 500,000 in the country, he said.

He called upon the government to make inclusive policies for transgenders and give them their rightful share in jobs, representation and other social and economic benefits.