Pride Pakistan

Honoring Transgender Lives: Transgender Day of Remembrance & Awareness Week

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Every November, the world pauses to honor the lives of transgender people lost to violence and hatred. The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), observed on November 20, is not only a day of mourning but also a call to action. It reminds us that visibility, advocacy, and solidarity are essential for survival.

This year, during Transgender Awareness Week, Pride Pakistan joins the global community in remembering those we have lost and recommitting ourselves to the fight for dignity and equality.

🌈 Shanoun Sharukh’s Message of Solidarity

One of our community members, Shanoun Sharukh, shared a heartfelt video message:

“We remember the transgender people who lost their lives in Pakistan and continue to face violence every day. As a community, Pride Pakistan will never stop our efforts for transgender rights. We stand together, and we will not be silenced.”

Shanoun’s words reflect the resilience of our community, even in the face of systemic oppression.

📊 Violence Against Transgender People in Pakistan

The statistics are devastating:

  • In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, over 150 transgender individuals have been killed in the past five years, yet only one perpetrator has been convicted The Express Tribune humenglish.com.
  • Police records show 267 cases of violence against transgender persons between 2019 and 2023 in KPK, with conviction rates near zero The Express Tribune.
  • Nationally, reports highlight that transgender people face daily harassment, extortion, and denial of basic rights such as education and healthcare OHCHR UPR Contribution Submissions.
  • In September 2025, three transgender women were shot and killed in Karachi, underscoring the ongoing dangers faced by the community The Independent.

These numbers are not just statistics — they represent lives cut short, families shattered, and communities living in fear.

✊ Pride Pakistan’s Commitment

At Pride Pakistan, we believe that visibility saves lives. By telling these stories, sharing these numbers, and amplifying voices like Shanoun’s, we ensure that the violence cannot be erased or ignored.

Our commitment is twofold:

  • Transgender Rights: We will continue to highlight the killings, harassment, and systemic discrimination faced by transgender people in Pakistan, demanding accountability and justice.
  • Broader LGBTQI Visibility: We recognize that gay and queer violence often goes unreported due to criminalisation in Pakistan. Pride Pakistan will use its platform to ensure that these stories are not silenced, and that the fight for equality includes all identities.

💜 A Call to Action

Transgender Day of Remembrance is not just about mourning — it is about mobilizing. We call on allies, activists, and policymakers to:

  • Demand justice for victims of violence.
  • Challenge prejudice in communities and institutions.
  • Support safe spaces for LGBTQI people in Pakistan.

Together, we can build a future where no one is killed or silenced for simply being who they are.

Sources:

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