Safeguarding the rights of transgender and intersex communities in Pakistan

An UNDEF project in Pakistan is working to advance the rights of transgender and intersex persons, in-line with directives from the Supreme Court. Implemented by FACES Pakistan, the project is working directly with transgender and intersex communities in Lahore and Faisalabad, the country’s second and third-largest cities respectively, to raise awareness of their rights and how to obtain these. Through training and networking, the project is building the capacity of local civil society organizations to work and advocate on behalf of transgender and intersex persons. It is also improving service delivery for these marginalized communities by raising awareness and building capacity among social-service departments and institutions at the district level. In addition, it is stimulating dialogue among provincial and national political leaders, legislators and policymakers, on how to improve existing laws and policy. UNDEF Senior Programme Officer, Mikiko Sawanishi visited the project in April 2022 to observe project activities and speak with project participants.