Transgender group in Karachi links rights and climate actionCEFR A2
9 Dec 2025
Adapted from Rezwan, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by nouman makhdoom, Unsplash
Pakistan’s transgender community faces discrimination and trouble getting health care, education and decent work. In 2012 the Supreme Court ordered recognition of a “third gender” on ID cards. The 2018 Transgender Persons Act promised more protections, but in 2023 the Federal Shariat Court reversed some parts and called them “un-Islamic”. That decision caused anger and confusion.
GIA, a trans‑led organisation in Karachi, helps with services, legal aid and advocacy. From 2024 it began EcoDignity and Begum Bazaar to link dignified incomes with recycling and up‑cycling. In 2025 GIA ran a climate session and a public mural to raise community visibility.
Difficult words
- discrimination — unfair treatment of a person or group
- recognition — official acceptance or legal approval of someone
- protection — actions or rules that keep people safeprotections
- reverse — to change something to the oppositereversed
- advocacy — public support for a person or cause
- recycling — processing waste to make new materials
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why is legal recognition on ID cards important for transgender people?
- How could jobs in recycling and up‑cycling give dignified incomes?
- How can a public mural help a community become more visible?
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