Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz launches skill training program for transgenders

LAHORE: The Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has initiated a large–scale technical skills training program for the transgender community to enhance their socio-economic empowerment.

Under this program, almost 1,600 transpersons will get technical skills training in multiple sectors, such as IT and freelancing, healthcare assistance, tailoring, fashion design, electrical, solar, and beauty services.

This program essentially looks at creating socio–economic opportunities for transgender persons, which would increase their employability even when they present traditional qualifications, given the challenges the transgender persons face in employment.

CM Maryam Nawaz stated that the discrimination of a transgender person is “shameful,” and encourages the community to “show that talent has no gender.“ The training has been tailored to a curriculum and based on offering livelihood opportunities grounded in market opportunities.

The program aims to prepare a trans–person to temporarily or permanently provide for their livelihood through skill utilization. This program takes a step towards providing employment inclusion and opportunities for workforce participation for the transgender community in various sectors.

Two main components the government is addressing are the violence experienced and attitudes towards the transgender community and work environment.

More directly, training in multiple sectors is intended to create opportunities to empower and address the challenges that many face in the job market when securing a position.

By implementing this program, this initiative assists in altering negative attitudes occurrence of violence and assists in social inclusion, creating a more accepting society.