Change the clap
As issues regarding gender disparity come to light in Pakistan, the matter of transgender rights has emerged from obscurity. Although there are bills in motion aimed at protecting transgender people from sexual harassment and other offenses, and include their right to hold public office, inherit property and access public to spaces, abuse and discrimination against them is widespread. In an effort to address this issue, the Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN) has partnered with BBDO Pakistan to initiate a campaign called #ChangeTheClap. APTN has been working on various initiatives in the South Asian region in order to bring to the fore the injustices faced by the transgender community. According to data released by the sixth Population and Housing Census in August, 2017, Pakistan’s total transgender population stands at 10, 418, with Punjab accounting for 64.4%.
“The campaign is based on the ‘transgender clap’, a symbol of the transgender community, but widely taken out of context and mimicked by the public to ridicule them,” says Marli Gutierrez, Communications Officer, APTN.
The campaign asks people to #ChangeTheClap from one of ridicule to one of applause, respect and inclusion. While the insight stems from the subcontinent, APTN is aiming to speak for transgender rights on a global scale, through its local efforts, by having a positive impact on the lives of transgender people in Pakistan. According to Jamayal Tanweer, Business Director, BBDO Pakistan, “by stopping the mockery and promoting inclusion, #ChangeTheClap is working towards creating equal opportunities by increasing educational outreach to the transgender community.”
The campaign was launched in December 2017 (International Human Rights Day) to bring the issue of transgender rights to the forefront, raise awareness and advocate equal opportunities and is expected to run until March. “BBDO Pakistan is proud to continue creating powerful campaigns that fight for human rights and equal opportunities,” says Ali Rez, Regional Creative Director, BBDO Worldwide.