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...
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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 |
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