Eunuchs unite to demand 'third sex' rights

Eunuchs in Pakistan have formed a group to highlight their plight in a bid to fight for rights for the "third sex".

Members of the community from several areas across the country attended a convention to form the All Pakistan Eunuchs Welfare Association presided over by their leader known as Karim.

The association was launched with the aim to fight for the rights and respect of eunuchs in Pakistan, national newspaper the Dawn quoted Karim saying.

District heads for the association were nominated at the convention in Khairpur, in Sindh, south-east Pakistan.

As an outcast community in many countries including India and Pakistan, eunuchs often live a hard life with many earning a living through begging, dancing or prostitution.

Several eunuch groups in India have recently called for rights including the chance to vote in the elections.