Disclaimer*: The articles shared under 'Your Voice' section are sent to us by contributors and we neither confirm nor deny the authenticity of any facts stated below. Parhlo PInk will not be liable for any false, inaccurate, inappropriate or incomplete information presented on the website. Read our disclaimer.
In a country where using the word transgender even as a joke is considered an insult, a local private news channel dares to employ a transgender news anchor and breaks all records of Pakistani media history. This move is indeed trailblazing and an indicator of a progressive Pakistan determined to break all social taboos.
The transgender news anchor, Marvia Malik, is a graduate in journalism and was in every way eligible for the job. Hence, she was selected for the job on the basis of merit. The best part of this unprecedented move by the channel is that it has been termed as ‘a step taken in the right direction’ by the people of Pakistan and it has garnered appreciation and applause from all corners of the country.
The unique story was covered by all media outlets from local dailies to foreign media giants like CNN, BBC, and Al Jazeera. From Twitter to Facebook to Instagram, #MarviaMalik was all over social media as well. In fact, trans news readers from all across the globe went ahead to congratulate Pakistan’s first trans newscaster via tweets and video messages.
Since the beginning of this decade, Pakistan has been achieving milestones one after the other in terms of minority rights or to be precise transgender rights. From welcoming the first transgender doctor to first transgender news anchor, our country has made various breakthroughs in these eight years of the ongoing decade. Let’s quickly recall some of the groundbreaking achievements of transgender persons in Pakistan from 2010 to date that has played a vital role in recognition and empowerment of the underprivileged community.
1. Sarah Gill
In July 2010, a 23-year-old Sarah Gill enrolled in Jinnah Medical and Dental College (JMDC) in Karachi, made history by becoming the first transgender doctor in Pakistan. Gill later, started Gender Interactive Alliance (GIA), a non-governmental organization (NGO) for the civil rights of transgender persons.
2. Riffy Khan, Muskaan and Mazhar Anjum
In January 2014, The government of Sindh gave full-time employment to three transgender persons-Riffy Khan, Muskaan and Mazhar Anjum in social welfare department.
3. Madam Boota
In October 2016, 45-year-old transgender, Madam Boota, contested local election against Maulana Ahmad Ludhyanvi, chief of ASWJ, from PP-78 Jhang constituency.
4. Kami Sid
In November 2016, 26-year-old Kami Sid, a transgender, became the first trans-model of Pakistan by appearing in her first modeling photoshoot. She was styled by Waqar Khan and made up by Diplex’s Nighat Misbah.
5. Farzana Riaz
In June 2017, Farzana Riaz, a prominent Pakistani transgender activist, received landmark transgender passport with an X under gender category to represent the third gender.
6. Marvia Malik
In March 2018, 21-year-old Marvia Malik becomes the first transgender model to walk the ramp at Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC) fashion week in Lahore. She made history by taking up a rare challenge and became the first transgender news anchor of Pakistani media industry.
In 2009, Supreme Court recognized transgender people as equal citizens and issued gender-neutral identity cards (CNICs). Earlier this month, the upper house of parliament (Senate) approved a bill for the protection of transgender rights. I believe we are moving forward in the right direction and there will come a time when transgender persons would be treated as equal citizens in this country. We just need to bring a little change in our way of thinking about and treating transgender persons.
Mostly, they are considered downtrodden individuals of the society and used for entertainment such as dancing on weddings. Hence, society’s intolerance towards them has more to do with our thinking. Hence a change of thinking is mandatory to make this afflicted community an acceptable part of our society.
In the words of a trans celebrity, ‘We need to say, with one voice, that transgender people are valued, they are loved, they are us, they desire to be treated fairly and equally.’
