Socio-Cultural dynamics of Hijra (TG) Community in Pakistan Naz Male Health Alliance

Founded in 2010, NMHA is a non-governmental technical support agency that exists to improve the sexual health, welfare and human rights for males who have sex with males (MSM), Transgenders (TG) and their partners. It does this by advocating for sexual, welfare and human rights, developing policies on these issues and provides technical, financial and institutional support to MSM networks, groups and organisations across Pakistan. Naz Male Health Alliance

Our Accomplishments Establishing 6 CBO (Community Based Organizations) with 100% community staff Engaging Govt. and National AIDS Control Program Empowering MSM and TG community Sensitizing and building capacity of service providers to cater MSM and TG needs Naz Male Health Alliance

Establishing 6 CBO (Community Based Organizations) with 100% community staff At Naz Male Health Alliance we believe in providing opportunities to the MSM and TG community to reach out to other community members to effectively communicate and educate on different issues such as Condom education, Legal rights, HIV/AIDS, STIs (Sexually transmitted diseases) and Safety Naz Male Health Alliance

Establishing 6 CBO (Community Based Organizations) with 100% community staff

Engaging Govt. and National AIDS Control Program (NACP) Naz Male Health Alliance is a Govt. registered Organization. The Govt. and NACP is aware of the 100% community based staff induction. NMHA has also been involved in building capacity and providing inputs to the National AIDS control program to effectively strategize the AIDS preventive measure’s for MSM and TG community. Naz Male Health Alliance

Empowering MSM and TG community Voluntary vocational classes are arranged in the CBO offices to empower the community and to provide them skills to supplement there financial needs. * Most of the TG community commonly known as Hijra’s in Pakistan rely on begging and sex-work to fulfill there financial needs. Naz Male Health Alliance

Sensitizing and building capacity of service providers to cater MSM and TG need Periodic meetings and training are conducted with primary medical care providers to reduce stigma and discrimination against MSM and TG community. *Most of the medical service providers make fun of TG clients, due to which the TG patients avoid going to hospitals and clinics for STIs and wounds treatment. Naz Male Health Alliance

Customs and Culture of Hijra Community in Pakistan *Despite the social outcast and discrimination faced by Hijra community they are generally very lively and vibrant. *Hijra community have there own family structure. They follow a “Guru” and “Chela” network which provides them shelter and security. *Not all Hijras are eunuch as commonly perceived by the society. Most of the Hijras even choose to get married in there later stages of life. *In 2011 the supreme court of Pakistan accepted Hijras as a equal citizen of Pakistan. They are being issued National Identity Cards marked as third gender. *They are under high risk to contract HIV and AIDS. As per the latest figures collected in MSM/TG CBO in Larkana City, there is a prevalence of more then 15% in Hijra community. N

Working with the Community Extending family (Chela making Ritual) Naz Male Health Alliance

Community Pictures

Naz Male Health Alliance (Office Staff)

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