Transgender women in Malaysia, in the context of HIV and Islam: a qualitative study of stakeholders’ perceptions

Abstract Background Globally, one of the key groups considered to be at high risk of acquiring HIV are transgender women, often a marginalised group. In the Malaysian context there has been a scarcity of published research relating to transgender women, a sensitive issue in a Muslim majority country...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sima Barmania, Syed Mohamed Aljunid
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2017-10-01
Series:BMC International Health and Human Rights
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12914-017-0138-y
id doaj-7ffa1991da1b4e3180c26aee351bfa61
record_format Article
spelling doaj-7ffa1991da1b4e3180c26aee351bfa612021-04-02T17:58:59ZengBMCBMC International Health and Human Rights1472-698X2017-10-0117111010.1186/s12914-017-0138-yTransgender women in Malaysia, in the context of HIV and Islam: a qualitative study of stakeholders’ perceptionsSima Barmania0Syed Mohamed Aljunid1UKM Medical centre, Faculty of Medicine, International Centre for Casemix and Clinical Coding, National University of MalaysiaUKM Medical centre, Faculty of Medicine, International Centre for Casemix and Clinical Coding, National University of MalaysiaAbstract Background Globally, one of the key groups considered to be at high risk of acquiring HIV are transgender women, often a marginalised group. In the Malaysian context there has been a scarcity of published research relating to transgender women, a sensitive issue in a Muslim majority country, where Islam plays an influential role in society. Furthermore, there has been a paucity of research relating to how such issues relate to HIV prevention in transgender women in Malaysia. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore the attitudes of stakeholders involved in HIV prevention policy in Malaysia towards transgender women, given the Islamic context. Methods In-depth interviews were undertaken with stakeholders involved in HIV prevention, Ministry of Health, Religious Leaders and People Living with HIV, including transgender women. Thirty five participants were recruited using purposive sampling from June to December 2013 within Kuala Lumpur and surrounding vicinities. Interviews were in person, audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and used a framework analysis. Results Five central themes emerged from the qualitative data; Perceptions of Transgender women and their place in Society; Reaching out to Transgender Women; Islamic doctrine; ‘Cure’, ‘Correction’ and finally, Stigma and Discrimination. Discussion: Islamic rulings about transgenderism were often the justification given by participants chastising transgender women, whilst there were also more progressive attitudes and room for debate. Pervasive negative attitudes and stigma and discrimination created a climate where transgender women often felt more comfortable with non-governmental organisations. Conclusion The situation of transgender women in Malaysia and HIV prevention is a highly sensitive and challenging environment for all stakeholders, given the Muslim context and current legal system. Despite this apparent impasse, there are practically achievable areas that can be improved upon to optimise HIV prevention services and the environment for transgender women in Malaysia.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12914-017-0138-y
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Sima Barmania
Syed Mohamed Aljunid
spellingShingle Sima Barmania
Syed Mohamed Aljunid
Transgender women in Malaysia, in the context of HIV and Islam: a qualitative study of stakeholders’ perceptions
BMC International Health and Human Rights
author_facet Sima Barmania
Syed Mohamed Aljunid
author_sort Sima Barmania
title Transgender women in Malaysia, in the context of HIV and Islam: a qualitative study of stakeholders’ perceptions
title_short Transgender women in Malaysia, in the context of HIV and Islam: a qualitative study of stakeholders’ perceptions
title_full Transgender women in Malaysia, in the context of HIV and Islam: a qualitative study of stakeholders’ perceptions
title_fullStr Transgender women in Malaysia, in the context of HIV and Islam: a qualitative study of stakeholders’ perceptions
title_full_unstemmed Transgender women in Malaysia, in the context of HIV and Islam: a qualitative study of stakeholders’ perceptions
title_sort transgender women in malaysia, in the context of hiv and islam: a qualitative study of stakeholders’ perceptions
publisher BMC
series BMC International Health and Human Rights
issn 1472-698X
publishDate 2017-10-01
description Abstract Background Globally, one of the key groups considered to be at high risk of acquiring HIV are transgender women, often a marginalised group. In the Malaysian context there has been a scarcity of published research relating to transgender women, a sensitive issue in a Muslim majority country, where Islam plays an influential role in society. Furthermore, there has been a paucity of research relating to how such issues relate to HIV prevention in transgender women in Malaysia. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore the attitudes of stakeholders involved in HIV prevention policy in Malaysia towards transgender women, given the Islamic context. Methods In-depth interviews were undertaken with stakeholders involved in HIV prevention, Ministry of Health, Religious Leaders and People Living with HIV, including transgender women. Thirty five participants were recruited using purposive sampling from June to December 2013 within Kuala Lumpur and surrounding vicinities. Interviews were in person, audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and used a framework analysis. Results Five central themes emerged from the qualitative data; Perceptions of Transgender women and their place in Society; Reaching out to Transgender Women; Islamic doctrine; ‘Cure’, ‘Correction’ and finally, Stigma and Discrimination. Discussion: Islamic rulings about transgenderism were often the justification given by participants chastising transgender women, whilst there were also more progressive attitudes and room for debate. Pervasive negative attitudes and stigma and discrimination created a climate where transgender women often felt more comfortable with non-governmental organisations. Conclusion The situation of transgender women in Malaysia and HIV prevention is a highly sensitive and challenging environment for all stakeholders, given the Muslim context and current legal system. Despite this apparent impasse, there are practically achievable areas that can be improved upon to optimise HIV prevention services and the environment for transgender women in Malaysia.
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12914-017-0138-y
work_keys_str_mv AT simabarmania transgenderwomeninmalaysiainthecontextofhivandislamaqualitativestudyofstakeholdersperceptions
AT syedmohamedaljunid transgenderwomeninmalaysiainthecontextofhivandislamaqualitativestudyofstakeholdersperceptions
_version_ 1721552775413760000