Pakistan’s first transgender news anchor Marvia Malik breaks the barriers
Malik, a trainee anchor at Lahore-based channel Kohenoor News, is pleased with the attention that she's received but insists more needs to be done when it comes to improving the lives of Pakistan's transgender community.
A graduate of journalism from Punjab University, Malik told that, she applied for the position since she wanted to prove that people from the transgender community "are capable of any job, and can do anything they want. I want to show the country that we are more than objects of ridicule ... that we are also human."
As she prepared to host the Friday evening news, Marvia Malik can reflect on the barriers she has helped break down in Pakistan by becoming the first transgender news anchor, a milestone the young woman hopes will help integrate an often marginalized community in the conservative south Asian country.
The nightly news bulletin presenter for private channel Kohenoor News told that she is making history by appearing on television, a stark contrast to the image of transgenders working as prostitutes, dancers and beggars – jobs to which many members of the community are relegated.
The 21-year-old Marvia Malik sida that, “There is change coming in society and people are accepting us now. People can do with us whatever they want because they know they no one will come forward for us,” she said.
Malik debuted as an anchor last Saturday night, and has received countless calls and congratulatory messages since, while Pakistani social networks have been flooded with support for her.
The journalist appeared for an interview in December with the Kohenoor channel in the eastern city of Lahore, which was on the lookout for new journalists and hired her against her own expectations.
Malik said she has been the victim of harassment, abuse and mockery, perpetrated by individuals acting with impunity. Our community should be treated equally and there must not be any gender discrimination.”
