Lahore: Rwadari Tehreek-Pakistan held a Roundtable on March 25, 2021 at Lahore to discuss the challenges to Transgender Inclusion in Politics and their participation in the electoral processes as voters and candidates. The consultation Moderated by Chairman Rwadari Tehreek Mr. Samson Salamat and was participated by key leaders of the Transgender community.

The participants of the Roundtable after a thorough discussion unanimously passed the following recommendations and demands:

All political parties should include transgender community in their election manifesto to make it inclusive and non-discriminatory. Furthermore, the political parties must explore the potential of Transgender rights activists and candidates.

The political parties should include Transgender rights organizations and activist for party consultations and meetings to create Transgender friendly space.

Reserve seats should be allocated in the provincial, national and district councils to ensure their presence in the legislatures and policy institutions.  

Provincial, regional and district Election Commissioner Offices must be sensitized and mobilized to engage with transgender persons organization, network and coalitions to ensure that the election is trans inclusive.

Special campaigns should be initiated to provide voter education for the voters belonging to trans-gender community.

Concrete steps should be taken to stop the harassment of any transgender candidates and voters during election campaigning or electoral process.

Election Commission of Pakistan should hire educated transgender among the poling staff to give a message of inclusion.

The information and communication packages/material should be transgender inclusive.

Zero tolerance towards trans-phobia during election campaign and electoral process.

Public awareness campaigns by civil society organizations should highlight the political rights of the transgender community to create acceptance and space for their rights.

The Education campaigns should also target children to expose the positive images of transgender persons as engaged citizens. Furthermore, Teachers and other civic educators must be educated on policies and strategies for promoting the right of transgender persons to participate in the democratic processes at all levels.