First Official Transgender Employee Hired by Pakistani Government

The Pakistani federal government has officially hired its first transgender employee, The Express Tribune reports.

The employee, known as Nomi, was hired as part of the Benazir Income Support Programme, a poverty reduction scheme created by the government. Nomi will start work as a cook in the Islamabad headquarter cafeteria.

“It is still unbelievable I got a respectable government job on merit and now I will be able to earn money with full respect and dignity,” she said.

“My appointment is an answer to those people, especially my neighbours and relatives, who believe that a person like me can only earn through illegal means.

“I hope now people will feel proud of me rather than degrading me.”

Pakistan’s transgender community still faces rampant discrimination and violence. Although considerable progress has been made earlier this year with new legislation allowing trans people to affirm their gender on legal documents without acquiring consent from medical boards.

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