Pakistan has a school for transgender students in Lahore. The transgender community in Pakistan encounters systemic discrimination in almost every part of life. For many, school is not an option; it’s a site of violence and expulsion. Many schools don’t recognise a third gender and gender-neutral facilities do not exist.
The school for transgender students was opened by the Gender Guardian organisation and provides free academic and vocational training. Inclusive education would allow all transgender learners to access schools. The government has taken some initiatives, but the overall attitude of society is detrimental to such steps. The author concludes:
“In the same way we respond to refugee children excluded from schools due to displacement, we must also respond to transgender learners pushed out due to prejudice and fear. The solution isn’t just opening doors to education; it’s rethinking the entire space so that everyone feels safe once they walk in.”