TRANSGENDER EDUCATIONAL DEFY: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Human rights exploitations based on gender identity are still a major challenge for Pakistani society. Transgender face discrimination, humiliation and violence from various systems of society i.e. family, education, health care, employment and other institutions. This study aimed to explore the educational
and socialization based problems faced by the transgender community in district Rawalpindi. Objectives of the study included to identify the educational problems faced by transgender in seeking admissions in formal schools and to explore their problems in socializing with male and female
students. This study followed qualitative research design with a purposive sampling technique. For the data collection, structured interview guide was developed and detailed interviews were conducted from eight respondents in order to explore their experiences pertaining to educational and
socialization based problems. The analysis resulted to the emergence of these major themes: socialization with family, socialization with class/school mates and teachers, admission in school, separate schools for transgender, motivation to get further education and fulfillment of aim in life. Results indicated that majority of the respondents have not experienced any difficulty to seek admission in public schools, however, they have faced severe socialization related problems and quit home in early ages due to the harsh attitude of their family members especially brothers and father. Most of the respondents were seemed motivated to get further education and intended to have a separate system of education for transgender community.