First Transgender Doctor of Pakistan ‘’Beacon of Hope’’

Dr. Sara Gill has made history by becoming the first transgender in Pakistan.
Pakistan is still a developing country in which many areas and towns still follow the old traditions and
culture. Being born as a transgender person in Pakistan is still considered an ominous for that family. Such kids
are kicked out of their houses at a very young age without thinking of their resources, hurdles, emotional
support, abuse, or violence they will face outside their homes. In this society where the majority of
the population is illiterate face discrimination, harassment, trafficking, abuse, gender inequality, stigma, and
systemic inequality. They face a lack of legal protection. Trans people face a legal system that often does
not protect them from discrimination based on gender inequality. Transgender face poverty as soon as
they are kicked out of their homes as they don’t get any job, organisation, firm, or industry because they
are pretty much concerned about their reputation. Transgender also face some severe issues like
stigma, violence, and harassment because of a lack of protection and unacceptance in society.
Transgender also do not get coverage for healthcare because medical staff often refuse to treat
them because of their gender identity. In Pakistan, Transgender do not have their identity documents
like a national identity card or passport as NADRA does not provide space for transgender in sex columns
other than male or female. Transgender people are not given any respect, nor can they buy their own property
or rent a house as the neighbourhood does not accept it.
DR SARA GILL
Under all circumstances, Sara Gill was the first transgender person to break all these stereotypes by becoming
the first transgender doctor in the history of Pakistan. Dr. Sara Gill is given the title ‘’beacon of hope’’ for
Pakistan’s neglected transgender community to pursue their dreams.
Like all other transgender people, Dr. Sara Gill was kicked out because of gender inequality, but her mother
supported her at some points. She, on her own, faced all difficulties of the outside world. She had to fend
herself for food, clothing, or shelter. She was charged double for everything. Most of the time, she
only survived on one meal for a long time because of a lack of resources. She graduated from Jinnah
Medical and Dental College in Karachi. Getting admission to one of the medical colleges in Pakistan was
also not very easy for her, but she somehow got admitted because of her grades and struggle. After her
success, she was gladly offered a house job at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center in Karachi. The Chief
Minister of Sindh, Pakistan, instructed the hospital’s management to facilitate Dr. Sara Gill during her
house job.
Dr. Sara Gill was soon recognized as the first transgender doctor not only on a national level but also globally.
In one of her interviews, she said

‘’Being transgender, I faced serious issues that every transgender person faces in Pakistan’’. After getting her
MBBS degree successfully, she once again urged the Pakistani transgender community to focus on getting an
education to secure a better place in Pakistan society.
‘’Transgender community members should make themselves a better members of the society with courage
and determination’’. Said Dr. Sara Gill addressing the transgender community.
Future Plans of Dr. Sara Gill
Dr. Sara Gill is looking forward to working for the welfare of the trans community. Dr Sara also runs a non-governmental organisation called ‘’Gender Interactive Alliance for the welfare of the transgender’’. She aims
to do a fellowship at the college of physicians and surgeons in endocrinology to help with health-related
issues faced by the transgender community in Pakistan and worldwide.
She believes ‘’This is just a beginning. There will be many Sarahs out there in Pakistan who will be more
educated and successful than me’’.