Transpk

Menu
Facebook Linkedin Instagram X-twitter Youtube

Trans Inclusive City (TIC)

Progress 80%

The Trans Inclusive City (TIC) campaign, launched by TRCP, is an ambitious initiative aimed at integrating the transgender (Khawaja Sira) community into the social, economic, and political fabric of Pakistan’s cities. As a flagship program of TRCP, TIC focuses on fostering inclusivity, ensuring equal rights, and creating safe, respectful spaces for transgender individuals. The program is a groundbreaking move toward urban inclusivity,
beginning with Islamabad, which has been declared the first Trans-Inclusive City in Pakistan under this initiative.

The primary goals of the TIC campaign are:

  • Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity: Ensuring transgender individuals have access to jobs, education, and healthcare in line with the national policies.
  • Legal Protections: Implementing the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018, to ensure transgender individuals are safeguarded against discrimination, violence, and inequality.
  • Gender Sensitization: Training public officials, law enforcement personnel, and private sector employees to understand the unique challenges transgender individuals face and encourage empathy, tolerance, and fairness in service delivery.
  • Public Visibility and Acceptance: Fostering societal acceptance of the transgender community through media campaigns, public events, and collaborations with influential figures.

Key Activities

Collaboration with Municipal Authorities: TRCP works closely with city officials in Islamabad and other cities to develop urban planning initiatives that are inclusive of transgender needs. This includes:

  • Policy Review and Development: Reviewing current municipal policies to identify gaps in transgender inclusion and proposing amendments to ensure
    the protection and integration of transgender individuals
  • Infrastructure Development: Ensuring that public spaces such as parks, transportation, and public offices are accessible and welcoming to transgender
    individuals. This also includes the development of dedicated transgenderfriendly spaces like community centers.
  • Transgender Safe Zones: Designating certain areas as safe zones where
    transgender individuals can express their identity freely without fear of
    harassment or discrimination.

 Workplace Inclusion Programs: TRCP collaborates with local businesses and corporations to implement workplace inclusion initiatives aimed at:

  • Hiring Practices: Encouraging businesses to hire transgender individuals and ensuring job placements with fair wages and benefits. The program aims to educate employers on gender diversity and address biases during the recruitment process.
  • Training and Development: Providing training for transgender employees to develop skills that will help them thrive in various industries, including service, technology, and administrative sectors.
  • Support for Small Business Ventures: Promoting transgender-led businesses through entrepreneurship programs that provide funding, mentorship, and access to markets

Public Awareness and Engagement: A critical component of TIC is changing public perceptions of the transgender community. This is achieved through:

  • Media Campaigns: Launching nationwide campaigns across television, radio, and social media platforms that showcase positive stories of transgender individuals contributing to society. TRCP partners with media outlets to ensure sensitive and respectful portrayal of transgender persons.
  • Community Events and Dialogues: Hosting public events such as art exhibitions, street performances, and seminars to raise awareness about
    transgender rights and encourage public dialogue. These events also serve to foster interaction between transgender and non-transgender community members.
  • Educational Workshops in Schools: Partnering with educational institutions to introduce gender sensitization programs for students. These workshops aim to build awareness from a young age about gender diversity and the importance of inclusion

Law Enforcement Sensitization: Transgender individuals often face harassment from law enforcement agencies. To address this, TRCP conducts:

  • Gender Sensitization Training: For police officers and security personnel, aimed at reducing incidents of abuse and discrimination. These trainings cover topics such as the legal rights of transgender individuals and how to respectfully engage with the transgender community.
  • Hotline for Reporting Abuse: Establishing a dedicated hotline where transgender individuals can report cases of harassment, violence, or
    mistreatment by law enforcement or the general public. TRCP follows up on these cases to ensure justice is served.

Healthcare Access and Medical Support: Ensuring that transgender individuals have access to quality healthcare is a priority for TIC. Under this program:

  • Health Clinics and Mobile Units: In partnership with local healthcare providers, TRCP operates transgender-friendly clinics that provide both
    general healthcare and specialized services such as hormone therapy and mental health counseling
  • Training for Healthcare Providers: Educating doctors, nurses, and medical staff on transgender health issues and how to provide compassionate and inclusive care.
  • Insurance Advocacy: Working with insurance companies and government programs to ensure transgender individuals can access health insurance that covers their unique medical needs.

Impact and Outcomes

Since its launch, the Trans Inclusive City campaign has achieved several significant milestones

  • Policy Changes: Several municipal policies have been revised to include transgender rights, and local businesses have committed to employing transgender individuals.
  • Increased Public Acceptance: The media campaigns have played a crucial role in humanizing transgender individuals, leading to a visible shift in public attitudes toward the community
  • Greater Economic Opportunities: Through collaboration with businesses and corporations, transgender individuals now have more access to formal employment and economic independence.
  • Safe Public Spaces: Safe zones and community centers have been developed, offering transgender individuals a sense of security in public spaces.

Challenges and Future Plans

While the TIC program has made remarkable strides, challenges remain:

  • Widespread Societal Stigma: Despite media efforts, transgender individuals still face stigma in many parts of the country, limiting the program’s reach.
  • Sustainability of Economic Gains: Securing consistent, long-term employment for transgender individuals in competitive industries remains a challenge.
  • Scale of Implementation: Expanding the Trans Inclusive City initiative beyond Islamabad requires increased resources, partnerships, and legal advocacy

Moving forward, TRCP plans to:

  • Expand the TIC model to other major cities in Pakistan, starting with Lahore and Karachi
  • Increase advocacy efforts at the national level to ensure the enforcement of transgender rights in urban development and planning.
  • Build stronger networks with businesses, educational institutions, and government entities to ensure the long-term success of the initiative