Challenges faced by marginalized communities such as transgenders in Pakistan

Abstract

IntroductionStigmatization, social exclusion and consequent banishment from the society makes transgender's life even tougher; isolating, pushing and forcing them into inappropriate conducts/habits like selling sex. This study investigates the association of social exclusion/victimization with high-risk behaviors among transgender community of Rawalpindi and Islamabad (Pakistan).MethodsThrough a cross-sectional study design, a sample of 189 transgender community living in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad was selected using snowball sampling technique. A validated close ended questionnaire was used to estimate the high-risk behaviors. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the competing outcomes associated with suicidal risk, selling sex and substance abuse.ResultsMajority study participants 77.8% experienced physical attacks with institutional discrimination even higher (91.5%). Commercial sex work and drug abuse was reported in 39.2% and 37.6% respectively. The prevalence of suicide ideation was high (38.6%) however, suicide attempted rate was less (18.5%). In the multivariate logistic regression, compared to those with no risk, being physically attacked increased the odds of both attempting (OR=2.18) and contemplating suicide and selling sex (OR=4.10). Nevertheless, the relative impact of institutional victimization on suicidal behavior was higher among those who were targeted on the basis of their gender identity or expression (AOR = 6.20, CI = 1.58-24.29, p=0.009).ConclusionThe transgender community is socially excluded by the Pakistani society where they experience high levels of physical abuse and face discriminatory behavior in daily life. Such attitudes make them vulnerable for risky behaviors; forcing them to become commercial sex workers, begging, drugs use and even suicidal ideation.

Comparing intentions to reduce substance use and willingness to seek help among transgender and cisgender participants from the Global Drug Survey

“…In the UK, the number of transphobic hate crimes reported annually has tripled since 2014 and a survey of trans youth in Scotland found that 73% of respondents reported experiencing at least one type of specifically transphobic emotionally abusive behavior from a current or ex-partner (LGBT Youth J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f up to an estimated 89% of trans people are at risk of gender-based violence (Wirtz, Poteat, Malik, & Glass, 2018). Prior research has strongly associated surviving violence of this nature with increased rates of alcohol (Arayasirikul, Wilson, & Raymond, 2017;Chakrapani, Newman, Shunmugam, Logie, & Samuel, 2017;Nuttbrock et al, 2014) and illicit drug use (Budhwani et al, 2017;Scheim, Bauer, & Shokoohi, 2017;Shah et al, 2018), as well as nonmedical use of prescription drugs (Benotsch et al, 2013).…”

A literature analysis of scientific research on gender incongruence in Muslim nations

“…Secondly, Muslims, in general, perceive transgender people as intersex, homosexuals, or suffering from mental health issues. 19 , 20 This is contrary to the basic scientific knowledge and understanding of the condition, that is, transgender people suffer from gender identity or expression issue and are not the same as intersex. 2 , 3 , 21 There have been reports that adolescents or adults who identified themselves as transgender are mocked for being intersex, and suffered emotional and physical persecution for being mistaken as homosexuals.…”

Narrative Therapy with Intersex Individual: A Clinical Case Study

“…Therefore, it is critical to note that no major attempts have been made to attain a prevalence of intersex individuals in Pakistan. Many experts say that the actual number of transgender people is substantially higher than what Shah et al (2018) revealed in their census report. The estimate was about that about 10418 individuals in Pakistan are transgender which make about 0.0048 % of the population.…”