SWAT: Lawyers and members of civil society on Sunday emphasised the importance of understanding laws related to women and transgender persons to ensure their protection and empowerment.

They were speaking at a training workshop aimed at raising awareness among women, girls, and transgender individuals to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to become effective paralegals.

The objective was to assist vulnerable community members, particularly women and transgender individuals, in navigating legal matters.

The worlcshop was organised by NGOs Girls United for Human Rights and Fund for Global Rights.

The session saw participation from girls, women, transgender individuals, civil society members, journalists, and lawyers.

Civil rights activists Iftikhar Ahmad, Hadiga Bashir, Abdul Nasir, Inam, and Fazal Khalig conducted various training sessions throughout the day.

The trainers provided a detailed breakdown of relevant laws and rights, focusing on capacity-building and offering in-depth explanations of each legal provision.

Abdul Nasir, a lawyer, highlighted that majority of people were unaware of their rights, particularly those enshrined for women under Pakistani laws. He stated: `The lacl< of awareness about these laws contributes to numerous social evils, with women and transgender individuals being the most affected. Today, we focused on educating women and transgender individuals about their rights.` He further stressed the need for more such worl(shops to raise awareness and foster a peaceful and informed society.

Hadiga Bashir, a human rights activist and executive director of Girls United for Human Rights, shared her initiative of opening a legal aid centre that offers free legal support to women, girls, and transgender individuals. She also mentioned the pro bono lawyers who provide legal assistance at no cost. `The two-day training was designed to raise awareness among women, girls, and transgender individuals about the rights guaranteed to them under Pakistani laws,` she explained.

`Additionally, we offer psychosocial support at our centre to help address emotional and mental well-being.

The participants expressed their gratitude for the newfound knowledge. Anusha Arshad, one of the attendees, said: `Although we are educated, we were never taught about laws and rights in our education system. Today, I feel as though I have been reborn with a new life and a better understanding of my rights.

The workshop highlighted the critical need for continued legal education and support for marginalised communities, particularly women and transgender individuals, to help them navigate the complex legal landscapeinPakistan.

A study circle and role plays were also performed in the workshop.