ISLAMABAD
\nAfter a decades\u2019 long struggle for their rights, the transgender community in the country finally sees a ray of hope for welfare with their inclusion in the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) beneficiaries list.
\nAlthough many steps were taken during last few years for ensuring social inclusion and gender equality for the vulnerable transgender community, yet the recent initiative of making them a part of the biggest social protection program is another milestone towards providing them economic relief.
\nThe decision of including transgenders in the BISP would not only make them eligible to register for Benazir Kafalat initiative providing quarterly assistance of Rs. 7,000 but enable them to get benefit from the other schemes also.
\nNayyab Ali, Human Rights Defender and Transgender Rights Activist, termed the inclusion of transgenders in Benazir Kafalat program as an excellent step towards ensuring financial independence of this marginalized community.
\n\u201cTransgender community had never been included in any of the social protection program at the government level in the past,\u201d Nayyab said adding, but, this initiative will help us meet our financial needs to some extent. She pointed out that there were number of challenges associated with this initiative including transparent registration process, to be addressed on priority basis to benefit the genuine community.
\n\u201cEngaging transgender community member in the monitoring of registration process can pave way for smooth and transparent implementation of this program,\u201d Nayyab Ali stated. \u201cOn behalf of the whole community, I must appreciate the incumbent government for taking this much-needed relief measure at the time when the Transgender Act is under-threat\u201d, she said.
\nNayyab Ali also described this policy initiative, a step towards ensuring gender equality and equal citizen\u2019s rights. \u201cThe time has come when the transgender community will not be considered as a marginalized section\u201d. Most often the transgenders are seen begging at busy roads and earning living by dancing at functions. Sometimes they are also molested due to their economic compulsions and fall victims to exploitation and with commonly facing charges of adultery.
\n\u201cWe are happy with this initiative. At least, we may have some amount of money to survive,\u201d said another Transgender Activist, Nadeem Kashish. \u201cOur inclusion in the BISP network is a positive step.
\nIt will provide transgender community social safety and economic relief.\u201d She also emphasized to ensure transparency in adopting the procedure for selection of the beneficiaries. \u201cThe authorities must ensure that the benefits of this program should reach to the deserving and genuine transgenders\u201d. As the society used to see them with an eye of scorn, their inclusion in the government programs and job opportunities had been a far cry.
\nBut, this recent decision has been seen as positive not only by the community but also the human rights activists in the country. \u201cTransgenders being a marginalized community are not integrated in the society and face lack of opportunities in getting education and learn skills for earning their livelihoods,\u201d said prominent human rights activist, Farzana Bari. \u201cDecision to include them in the social safety program is appreciable.\u201d
\nShe said their inclusion in Benazir Kafalat program would ensure their financial uplift as this decision also reflects the present government\u2019s vision of providing equal opportunities to all the citizens. Since the transgender community faces a lot of hurdles in securing jobs and other earning opportunities at homes, offices and other settlements, therefore there is dire need to provide them opportunities for dignified earnings.
\n\u201cI would desire the government to move another step forward and provide them skill-based education to enhance their employability and ensure social integration,\u201d Farzana Bari emphasized. \u201cIf we ensure it, then besides providing income support, we may make them self-sufficient over the time.\u201d
\nFarzana Bari also termed the Transgender law passed in the recent past as a very progressive law and said, \u201cIt has improved Pakistan\u2019s image internationally.\u201d Seeing from the perspective of human needs to survive socially and economically, this segment had often been a victim of sheer criticism instead of positive societal attitude for them helping them out to earn their bread and butter.
\n\u201cAs providing congenial atmosphere to all human beings in the country is deemed responsibility of the state, therefore approval of Transgender Policy can be considered as a landmark achievement of the present government,\u201d remarked Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Shazia Marri. \u201cTransgenders are also a part of our society like us and it is our shared responsibility to take care of them\u201d she said.
\nUnder the policy, transgenders have been asked to register for Benazir Kafalat program by first updating their gender in the CNIC from NADRA. After updating their CNIC, they can register at BISP Tehsil Offices. On successful registration, the applicant transgender will receive a payment message from 8171 number and get Rs. 7000 per quarter.
\nThe step is appreciable although some quarters have concerns on certain clauses of the law. Therefore, it is direly needed to address these concerns as well, to make this law acceptable to all segments of the society ensuring same time that it is not misused by anybody to harm our religious and moral norms and benefits real transgenders.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD After a decades\u2019 long struggle for their rights, the transgender community in the country finally sees a ray of hope for welfare with their inclusion in the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) beneficiaries list. Although many steps were taken during last few years for ensuring social inclusion and gender equality for the vulnerable transgender […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-302267","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n