For everyone who has made fun of transgender people by calling them 'chakka', this ad is a must watch

It's time to turn the ridicule into applause.

Sarwat Fatima Sarwat Fatima
दिसंबर 13, 2017
We can begin by accepting them as humans. Photo Courtesy: YouTube

There's a special clap that is specifically dedicated to the people of the transgender community. It's not like your regular applause, which is meant to celebrate or praise someone. This 'special clap' signifies just one thing--shame. It's no secret that people from the transgenders are ridiculed for their existence. But, it's not just about ostracization. It is also about sexual violence, assault, and lack of rights the community is subjected to. Recently, Asia Pacific Transgender Network, Pakistan, has launched a campaign to help the community lead a respectful life. Going by the hashtag 'Change the Clap,' it has come up with a two-minute-long heart touching video. So, before we go any further, let us take a look at this beautiful ad.

The ad features Kami Sid, Pakistan's first trans model and other popular faces of the community. The purpose of the campaign is to change the 'ridicule into applause'.

According to a report published in Pakistani website Something Haute, "With the video piquing interest in Pakistan, it already has garnered some celeb interest as well, with names like Ayesha Omar, Ahmed Ali Butt, Hussain Rehar, and Juggun Kazim becoming a part of it."

In fact, some of the celebs have taken to Instagram to post some meaningful videos with a strong message. Here take a look:

 

What might look like a small change in behaviour to you would mean the world to the transgender community #changetheclap

A post shared by Juggun Kazim (@juggunkazim) on

 

#ChangeTheClap to #changethemindset it’s time we stop the ridicule and mockery. #transgenderrights #munibnawaz

A post shared by Munib Nawaz (@munibnawaz) on

Transphobia is quite dominant in Pakistan. In 2012, National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA), Pakistan, created a third gender in their database to accommodate all transgenders. That, however, has not been able to curb growing violence against the community. According to a report published by Express Tribune, a transgender woman was shot at multiple times and then denied treatment in the hospital in May, last year. Unfortunately, this is one of the many cases reported in 2016.

But, interestingly, the country is doing its bit in recognizing the rights of transgender community and bringing their plight in the forefront. In 2016, Karachi-based stylist Waqar J. Khan, photographer Haseeb M. Siddiqui, and make-up artist Nighat Misbah joined hands for a photoshoot, and a very impactful one at that--featuring Kami Sid.

Acceptance is one of the major problems transgenders face. This photoshoot hopes to change that. Photo courtesy: Facebook/ haseebsiddiquiphoto Acceptance is one of the major problems transgenders face. This photoshoot hopes to change that. Photo courtesy: Facebook/ haseebsiddiquiphoto

Violence towards transgenders is a common occurrence in Pakistan and India, but it hardly makes it to the stats reported. Thus, in order to raise awareness regarding transphobia, this talented lot of artists came up with the idea of a photoshoot."Going by the statistics, 45 transgenders were killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) alone, last year. And that made me feel awful. The idea was to bring a positive change in the society and that prompted me to take it up. In fact, I feel absolutely honoured to be a part of it," said in an interview to us.

Given that we don't live in a very progressive society, acceptance is one of the major problems the community faces every day of their lives. And Siddiqui agrees. "To be honest, I was a little apprehensive about this project at first. But I realized that it was an amazing opportunity for me to contribute towards as we usually don't talk about the issue openly. Transgenders are as human as us. They deserve equal rights. But, surely we are heading towards progress and the photoshoot was reflective of that", he said.

It's time to look past individual differences and accept people for who they are. Photo courtesy: Haseeb M. Siddiqui It's time to look past individual differences and accept people for who they are. Photo courtesy: Haseeb M. Siddiqui

"I look at this photoshoot as an initiative to empower transgenders. It's high time we put an end to transphobia--not just in Pakistan, but globally. The community is often looked down upon and stereotyped. So, we intend to give that rusted image a makeover. They must not be restrained from entering any field of work", he continued.

Sid's photoshoot is a breakthrough and we hope it does create waves. Photo courtesy: Haseeb M. Siddiqui Sid's photoshoot is a breakthrough and we hope it does create waves. Photo courtesy: Haseeb M. Siddiqui

Thankfully, Pakistan is finally standing up for the rights of the community. In August 2017, the country's parliament introduced two bills that aim at securing the rights of transgender persons.

According to Dawn News, the bills include amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), as well as the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2017. The bills, which were tabled by Naeema Kishwar Khan of Jamiat Ulema-e Islam (F) JUI-F party during private members' day, are the first pieces of proposed legislation that extends any modicum of recognition to transgender community in Pakistan.

If the bill is passed by the parliament, it would make discrimination against transgender people a criminal offence. That's right! The bill has even framed penalties for offences against transgender individuals. It aims to make it illegal to deprive such persons from inheriting property, unlawfully evict them from any premises or deny them entry to educational institutions.

Coming to India, things are looking up for the community as well. Yes, complete social acceptance is a far cry, but there's some improvement.

In August 2017, as a major boost to transgender rights in India, the Madras High Court stood up for a transgender person who underwent sex reassignment surgery. The court has directed officials of Madras University as well as Anna University to change the person's female name and gender into that of a male in the educational certificates.

Coming to India, things are looking up for the community as well. Photo Courtesy: Twitter Coming to India, things are looking up for the community as well. Photo Courtesy: Twitter

According to The Hindu, Justice N. Kirubakaran directed the Controllers of Examinations in both the universities to make the necessary amendments in the certificates related to Bachelor of Science (Software Applications) and Master of Computer Applications courses.

Then there is Joyita Mondal Mahi, the first transgender judge to be appointed in India. In 2014, the Supreme Court recognized transgender as the third gender. That led to many appointments and schemes. Many of them have failed too. Take the example of Manabi Bandopadhayay. She was appointed as the first transgender college principal had to quit amidst discrimination and lack of cooperation from her colleagues.

Manabi Bandopadhayay was the first transgender principal in India. Photo Courtesy: Twitter Manabi Bandopadhayay was the first transgender principal in India. Photo Courtesy: Twitter

But, the situation is not all that bleak. Thanks to constant initiatives and campaigns, things have slowly started to look up for the transgender community. And it's high time--don't you think?

 

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