Socio-Demographic Patterns of Eunuchs in Pakistan: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

The current paper investigated socio-demographic features of eunuchs (Khwaja Sira/transgender people) in Pakistan with the assistance of the cross-sectional survey design. Although there has been an upsurge in the appreciation of transgender rights in the country, there is a paucity of empirical studies to organize the patterns of demographics into a systematic pattern that influences the psychological aspects of existence like emotional control and healing. Purposive sampling and community based sampling were used for the recruitment of 200 participants from big cities of Punjab in Pakistan. A survey pro forma was used to gather the necessary data in which variables of importance were measured on age, gender identity, education, occupation, marital status, area of residence, level of income, living arrangements, and trauma related variables. Descriptive statistical analysis of demographic distributions was done using SPSS.

The findings revealed that the sample was mostly Khwaja Sira and trans women, the level of formal education was relatively low and early school dropout was high. This is one of the expressions of the still lasting economic marginalization, with the majority of participants residing in cities, and engaged in informal occupations, such as dancing during ceremonies, offering beauty services, or begging. Cohabitation among transgender community networks was the norm and most subjects were single. The demographic risk factors for trauma including the age at which the youth left home and verbal, physical and sexual abuse were prevalent in the sample. The outcomes show the social, cultural and structural inequalities that shape the lives of eunuchs in Pakistan.

The study contributes to the existing literature by providing an extensive demographic profile in Pakistan and provides a foundation for future studies on emotional regulation, adverse childhood experiences and healing processes in gender-diverse groups. Policy implications are discussed, as are implications with regards to culturally sensitive mental health interventions.