Education on the Margins: Pakistan’s First School for Transgender Students
In a conservative city tucked away in Lahore, Pakistan, a quiet emergence is taking place. It's called the Gender Guardian, the country’s first-ever school dedicated to transgender students. In a country where access to education for the transgender community is next to nothing, this institution stands out as a powerful act of resistance and hope for the community. Accountability Lab reports show that only a small percentage of transgender individuals in Pakistan attain formal education, with as few as 30% in primary school and only 7% in university.
Systemic Violence Faced by Transgender Individuals
The transgender community in Pakistan encounters systemic discrimination in almost every part of life. For many, school is not an option; it’s a site of violence and expulsion. In a study involving transgender individuals in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, the majority (77.8%) reported experiencing physical attacks, with institutional discrimination reported at an even higher rate (91.5%). The legal recognition of transgender students remains limited. Schools lack gender-neutral facilities, including clear guidelines to accommodate transgender students, including training around transgender issues, which is virtually nonexistent, making the educational atmosphere unwelcoming and unsafe. Several schools have denied admission forms to the transgender community, without any recognition of the third gender, telling them to either choose male or female because schools lack a system that recognizes a third gender. Since these schools don’t allow self-identification, clerical and administrative staff often refuse to process admissions if the students' documents don’t align with binary gender expectations.
The increasing violence against the transgender community has raised concerns among many individuals, including Asif Shahzad, an entrepreneur who established the Gender Guardian organization, which provides free education and vocational training to transgender students of all ages. The curriculum combines academic subjects such as math, science, and English with hands-on training in beauty services, fashion design, computer literacy, and tailoring. These skills were selected based on practical, income-generating opportunities that are both accessible and demanding within the community. They also offer access to essential tools, including makeup kits and stitching machines, helping students develop marketable skills and gain financial independence.
Beyond the curriculum, the school's environment emphasizes safety and support. Students are called by their preferred names and feel at ease in their uniforms, with no whispered insults or threats. For many students, this is the first time they’ve stepped into a classroom without fear. After speaking with Ammaz Rauf Farooqi, the principal of Gender Guardian, he provided me with insights into the struggles and experiences of transgender students. One student, Areeba, told me, “I used to think school wasn’t for people like me. Now I wake up every day excited to learn.” Farooqi recognized that the transgender community in Pakistan lacked access to traditional education and identified it as a space in need of support. Many students he mentioned faced various challenges in continuing their education and transitioning to formal employment, including financial difficulties, harassment, and a lack of self-confidence. Gender Guardians offers learners an opportunity to return to academic pursuits within a supportive community.
Employment opportunities for transgender people in Pakistan are limited by a combination of institutional, social, and economic barriers. For many, survival sex work may seem like the only viable option. In Pakistan, an estimated 39,200 transgender individuals are involved in sex work. Several Gender Guardian students were previously engaged in sex work, seeking a pathway to education and legitimate employment. After the program, one such student, Aisha, obtained a clerical position within the government, facilitated by the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act. This legislation permits individuals to access self-identification of gender and aims to safeguard against discrimination in employment.
Inclusive Education in Pakistan
The transgender community in Pakistan is spread across the country. Inclusive education can be a practical option, as it not only helps transgender students adapt within existing schools but also promotes their social inclusion and acceptance in society through their enrollment and participation in mainstream schools. Mainstream schooling in Pakistan often hesitates to accept transgender students. Even though the government has taken some initiatives, the overall attitude of society is detrimental to such steps. Currently, there are no policies for safety and admission quotas, as well as a legal framework, which leads to a sense of vulnerability and a perception of being overlooked by the system. In addition to no written protection, the schools and teachers are unprepared to meet the unique challenges associated with transgender individuals.
While discussing reform and strategies for transgender-inclusive education in Pakistan, many teachers suggested a step-wise approach. Farooqi recommended that, “while the gender guardian is an effective approach, our operations are currently limited to Lahore. It is essential to develop additional avenues through which transgender individuals can pursue education in public schools.” The country requires a more inclusive educational framework that extends beyond the work of the Gender Guardian and can apply to public schools.
Financial Challenges Facing Non-Profit Education Systems
Gender Guardian operates under a non-profit model, relying heavily on private donors and NGOs. Without long-term funding grants, the organization has struggled to maintain its operations. The government system refuses to take up similar initiatives, and the social stigma remains strong. Initiatives like Gender Guardian have been successful in educating their students, who have gone on to start small businesses, join advocacy campaigns, and serve as mentors for new students. The Gender Guardian can serve as a model for how the education system should adapt to better support marginalized groups.
The work of The Gender Guardian speaks directly to global efforts to make education more inclusive, especially in crisis contexts. In the same way we respond to refugee children excluded from schools due to displacement, we must also respond to transgender learners pushed out due to prejudice and fear. The solution isn’t just opening doors to education; it’s rethinking the entire space so that everyone feels safe once they walk in.
About the Author
Anoussa Salim is the Director, United Nations Representative for Soulchi, UN Global Compact member organization. Her work at the UN allowed her to develop expertise in international diplomacy and advocacy. She holds a BA in Political Science and History from Fordham and an MS in Global Affairs from New York University.