The hair salon changing how transgenders are seen in Pakistan

KARACHI: Bebo Haider's beauty parlour is bright, small, and decorated sparsely with three large photographs: transgender models who became her clients because the Karachi salon is one of the few in Pakistan which caters to them without judgement.

"After that day she would not get her hair and make up done by anybody else at the parlour," Haider told AFP jubilantly, sitting in her hairdressing chair.Transgenders - also known in Pakistan as"khawajasiras", an umbrella term denoting a third sex that includes transvestites and eunuchs - have long fought for their rights in the deeply patriarchal and conservative country.In 2009 Pakistan became one of the first countries in the world to legally recognise a third sex.

When a Dutch organisation said it wanted to finance a project to empower the transgender community, she and a partner jumped on the chance to open their own salon - which, they say, is the first transgender owned and run beauty salon in Pakistan.Transgenders are often judged, harassed or even denied entry at other salons, she and her customers told AFP.

"I would wear tough looks when I came to the shop so that people would not dare to mess with me," she said. Haider and other activists helping her hope the salon is just the first step on the road to economic empowerment for their community.

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

How Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing went from friend of China to punching bagHONG KONG: In January of 1993, an ambitious Chinese Communist Party boss, a 39-year-old official with chubby cheeks and a mop of black hair, ... The masked of protesters unhappiness. Poor Hong Kongers being drawn into disputes arena of the dynamics of business.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Cricket: Australia leaning toward unchanged XI for second test, says LangerAustralia are likely to field an unchanged team for the second test against Pakistan starting in Adelaide on Friday, coach Justin Langer said.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Australia leaning toward unchanged XI for second test - LangerAustralia are likely to field an unchanged team for the second test against Pakistan starting in Adelaide on Friday, coach Justin Langer said.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Cricket: Smith to be more disciplined against Pakistan's YasirAustralia batsman Steve Smith says he is determined not to be dismissed again by Pakistan spinner Yasir Shah when the teams meet in the second ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Bloomberg seen as 'long shot' candidateBillionaire and philanthropist Michael Bloomberg may be bringing a formidable war chest, name recognition and a brand of centrist politics into the crowded Democratic field with his official candidacy announced on Sunday, but it will be tough for him to unseat the party's current front runners.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »

HSBC private banking sees double-digit asset, revenue growth on Asia boost.HSBC private banking sees double-digit asset, revenue growth on Asia boost
Source: BusinessTimes - 🏆 15. / 51 Read more »