FROM PRESTIGE TO PERSEVERANCE: THE KHAWAJA SIRA COMMUNITY OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

“The Khawaja Sira are the people whose sexual orientation is vague and cannot be confirmed as male or female” as stated by the Status and Rights of transgender in the constitution of Pakistan. Not fitting into the societal norms, Khawaja Siras of Pakistan face all forms of discrimination, marginalization, along with harassment. Been rejected from their families, they start to form communities and live under the Guru-Cheela relation and earn money for survival through jobs that are frowned upon. The term Khawaja Sira is one that denotes respect and is accepted by their community as accurate term for their gender identity and lived experience. According to an article Living on the Periphery by Aimen Majeedullah, the main discriminatory institutes include hospitals, mosques, and police force. The main objective of this project is to focus on the changes throughout the eras in the lives of the Khawaja Siras and how the changes of struggles and existing challenges of discrimination and marginalization and not considering them as humans is causing their suffering. The aim of this project is to spread awareness about how in this era of modernization, the non-binary community is still not able to enjoy their rights by providing a narrative using strong photographs and visuals.