Masawat Program, aimed at extending financial support to transgender women, provides a quarterly disbursement of Rs. 7,000 to eligible beneficiaries. While the Ehsaas program was initially created to alleviate poverty and offer financial aid to all citizens, the Ehsaas Equality program strives for inclusivity by extending assistance to transgender individuals as well. This initiative by the Pakistani government seeks to address the unique challenges faced by transgender women aged 40 and above.
In many ways, transgender individuals in Pakistan,
as in other comparable countries, confront personal, social, cultural, and economic hurdles that place them at a higher risk of marginalization and social exclusion. These challenges have made them one of the most disadvantaged groups, often residing in areas characterized by persistent poverty and limited human capital development. This vulnerability underscores the importance of their inclusion in social security programs.
In response to these needs,
the Punjab Social Protection Authority (PSPA) has introduced the Equality Program under the Transgender Persons Welfare Policy. The Equality Program provides unconditional cash transfers to elderly and disabled transgender individuals with the aim of fostering employment opportunities and supporting microcredit ventures among transgender-owned businesses.
Online registration is available for this program,
and it aligns with the broader goal of promoting equality and justice through inclusive policies. Eligible transgender individuals can register for the program at any branch of the Bank of Punjab.
The Equality Program will initially select specific interventions from the Transgender Welfare Policy based on administrative performance. All registered transgender persons (TGPs) in Punjab will have the opportunity to establish small businesses, supported by interest-free loans of up to Rs. 1 lakh, in collaboration with the Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC). Additionally, the program will organize medical camps to provide screening, treatment, and medications for TGPs in partnership with health departments and private sector companies, creating further employment opportunities for this community.
To enroll in the Benazir Khawaja Sara Program, transgender individuals must first obtain an ID card from NADRA specifying their gender as “eunuch.” Following this, they can register for the program at the Benazir Income Support Program office.
The Transgender Masawat Program offers unconditional monthly cash benefits of Rs. 3,000 for senior TGPs and Rs. 2,000 for disabled transgender individuals. These funds can be disbursed through any HBL Konnect agent in Punjab.
The program’s objectives include mainstreaming transgender individuals into public services and programs, providing livelihoods, education, health, and housing services, protecting them from unemployment, promoting human capital accumulation, increasing access to productive assets and income-generating activities, and improving the overall health and resilience of transgender individuals.
The eligibility criteria for the Ehsaas Masawat
Transgender Program include being above 40 years of age, being disabled (if below 40), and possessing a transgender CNIC with a specified disability.
In summary,
the Ehsaas Masawat Program is a government initiative aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by transgender individuals in Pakistani society, providing them with essential support and access to resources. It operates in collaboration with various government and financial institutions to promote inclusivity and equality.
BISP Basic Information Required
| Information | Details |
| Contact Number | 0800-26477, 051-9246326 |
| Address | Benazir Income Support Program, Block F, Pak Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan |
| Registration Document Required | CNIC, B-Forms, Mobile No, Gas/Electricity Bill, Home Rent Agreement if Available. |