The transgender community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has opened its first clothing boutique in the provincial capital, Peshawar, located in the Gulbahar area. This boutique will offer transgender individuals the opportunity to sell their fashion creations, including bridal, party, and formal wear.
Community leaders Farzana and Sheeba co-founded the boutique, which features modern designs and accessories like purses. Their aim is to help the transgender community achieve social respect through employment and business ventures.
However, the community also expressed concerns about the violence they often face, restrictions on music programs, and a lack of appreciation for the arts, prompting many to seek other avenues of livelihood. Farzana highlighted the long-standing economic and social struggles faced by transgender individuals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, alongside current security challenges.
In response, the boutique’s founders are encouraging transgender individuals to pursue education, job opportunities, and business ventures to reduce economic hardships.
Sadly, transgender individuals in the province continue to face severe persecution. Recently, two transgender individuals were brutally murdered in Mardan, sending shockwaves through the community. The attackers, who broke into an apartment near the police lines, killed Sham Salman and Sabir in a violent sword attack.
