Pakistan’s undesirables: ‘Dealing with’ the hijra problem

[Natasha]

Pakistan's undesirables: 'Dealing with' the hijra problem

http://questioningtransphobia.wordpress.com/2009/08/28/pakistans-undesirables-dealing-with-the-hijra-problem/
8/27/09

There's a thought-provoking post over at Sherryx's Weblog (link here) about the hijra community in Pakistan.

(T-Vox carries this definition of hijra: "In the culture of the Indian subcontinent a hijra is a physically male or intersex person who is considered a member of 'the third sex.'")

    Through the last month, Pakistani media celebrated the recognition of the citizenship rights of the hijra community by a Supreme Court ruling which declared them entitled to 'protection guaranteed under Article four (rights of individuals to be dealt with in accordance of law) and Article nine (security of person) of the Constitution'. The ruling has been hailed as an important step toward the integration of 'the Third sex' into the Pakistani society, who are now going to be registered and surveyed (with 'Third Sex' designating their gender on the ID cards and forms) so as to enable them to access the services of state social welfare departments and financial support programs.