Saro Imran

Saro Imran is a Transgender Community Activist. She belongs to South Punjab, which is a geographically deprived region of Pakistan. Being transgender was not easy to live in South Punjab. In 2008, She was 15 years old when a mob attacked her due to her gender identity. She was badly injured, physically and emotionally. She spent two long years in trauma isolated in a single room, but she committed to herself that she would not suffer as a victim, instead, she would fight for the rights of transgender people.

Saro has been working in the field of transgender rights, SRHR and development since 2013. She has worked with various national and international organizations like ILGA World, Youth Lead, IYAFP, FP2030, Punjab AIDS Control Program, Global Fund for Children, Rutgers, Youth Voice Count, Accountability Lab, SPDO, Goldin Institute. She has done M.Phil. in commerce with a specialization in Entrepreneurship. She is a focal person for Skill Development of transgender people by the Social Welfare Department – Government of Pakistan.

She initiated the Trans youth movement in South Punjab collaborating with different transgender stakeholders from various cities for a collective voice in favor of transgender empowerment. She led the advocacy campaign from South Punjab for the Trans Protection law and policy framework. In 2018, their struggle led to the promulgation of the historic Trans Protection Act 2018.

Saro has received several awards like: the Peace Ambassador Award – Global Peace Chain Turkey 2020, the Social Work Award by Social Welfare Department – Government of Pakistan 2021, the Human Rights Award – NADRA – National Database and Registration Authority, Pakistan 2021, the Higher Education Award by Foreign Minister of Pakistan 2022, and the Higher Education Award by Mrs. Governor Punjab Pakistan 2022. She ultimately envisions a World where transgender people are economically empowered and have equal rights.