Final Year Project

Project Title

From the Margins: Mapping Vulnerabilities of Karachi's Transgender Community in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Description

COVID-19 pandemic left some populations more endangered than others. One of these vulnerable populations is Pakistan’s trans community which has been systemically disenfranchised. The primary purpose of this research study is to qualitatively study and holistically document the vulnerabilities of Karachi’s transgender community in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It elucidates some of the most recurrent problems that the trans community has faced during the COVID-19 Pandemic and lockdown period: Health Vulnerabilities, Loss of Income and Food Insecurity. Many trans persons are at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities, and so are further exposed to the shocks of the pandemic. This research study is an attempt at presenting the needs, challenges and rights of the trans community which has been excluded and marginalized during this public health crisis. The study employed a qualitative research design. Methods include in-depth semi-structured interviews and an extensive review of literature around preparedness and response measures, newspaper reports, interviews of trans persons and news coverage available in the public domain. In total, 3 interviews were conducted, all the research participants were transpersons currently residing in Karachi.