Transgender stage protest over not providing HIV treatment

KARACHI: The transgender community, under the banner of Gender Interactive Alliance (GIA), staged a demonstration outside Karachi Press Club (KPC) for not providing HIV treatment after the suspension of funds from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

The protesters were led by Executive Director, Gender Interactive Alliance (GIA), Bindiya Rana, Shahzadi Rao, Zarish Khanzadi and others. 

The protesters carried different banners and placards inscribed with slogans like; justice for transgender persons, providing medicines and treatment to HIV-positive community members, reinstating transgender and others. 

The transgender said the suspension of funds from UNDP puts almost 1300 transgender living with HIV in danger. There are 18000 registered transgender, out of which 1300 are HIV positive and under treatment. However, UNDP stop the provision funds for unknown reasons, leaving affected transgender people in limbo. 

Zarish Khanzadi, while talking to the media, informed that UNDP had suspended the provision of funds and terminated transgender working with an agency. 

Transgender Shahzadi Rao said the UNDP stop provision of funds used for the treatment HIV affected community members.