Paper Title
“IF WE TRY TO RESIST, THEY THREATEN TO KILL US”: LIVED EXPERIENCES OF KHWAJA SIRA IN SWAT, PAKISTAN

Abstract
Abstract - Khwaja sira (third gender people) in Pakistan are also known by a number of other subgroups, and identities, including the labels of hijra, khusra, kinnar, kothi and zenana. In 2009 the Pakistani Supreme Court created a third gender designation on their national identity cards through the National Data Base Registration Authority, permitting khwaja sira to register as third gender individuals and be officially recognized by the Government of Pakistan. In 2016 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa became the first South Asian province to adopt a policy for the protection of third gender rights. Nonetheless, khwaja sira experience several forms of social marginalization, which were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of the present study is to explore themes related to the lived experiences of khwaja sira in Mingora, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. We conducted 45 in-depth interviews with khwaja on their lived experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviews were digitally audio recorded in Pashto, then translated into English for coding, interpretation and thematic content analysis of the transcripts. We identified the following themes: (1) sexual violence; (2) gender-nonconformity stigma; (3) mental health challenges; (4) resilience and community-building strategies; (5) financial relationships between gurus (leaders) and chelas (disciples); and (6) interactions with the police. Study findings highlight an important unmet need regarding the safety of khwaja sira communities in Pakistan. Many participants reported that their lived experiences with stigma, discrimination, and sexual violence were connected to negative community perceptions regarding their identities as sex workers and as gender-nonconforming people.