Abstract:
The global impact of COVID-19 has transcended borders, races, and ethnicities, presenting
substantial socioeconomic challenges. While various individuals and marginalized
communities grappled with the pandemic's effects, the transgender community emerged as
particularly vulnerable, facing constraints in financial resources, heightened social issues, and
limited healthcare access. In Pakistan, these impacts are visible. However, there is emphasis of
research on other communities, ironically the transgender community is ignored. Therefore the
study aims to advocate for comprehensive solutions, that pave the way for equal participation
and societal integration of transgender individuals in Pakistan, ensuring their rights and well being are prioritized in policy and societal frameworks. This study, influenced by Bernice L.
Hausman's Transgender Theory, investigates the socioeconomic challenges faced by the
transgender community in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Utilizing in-depth interviews, thematic analysis, and case studies, the findings underscore a
critical lack of public awareness and understanding, heightening prejudice against transgender
individuals. The research stands as a poignant academic contribution, emphasizing the urgent
need for systemic changes to uplift the transgender community, particularly during crises like
the ongoing pandemic. In navigating these multifaceted challenges, the study acts as a clarion
call for a more inclusive and just approach, envisioning a future where transgender individuals
not only survive but thrive, free from discrimination and socioeconomic barriers, and
contribute meaningfully to the social fabric in Pakistan.
