You shall not transition: a quantitative analysis of the challenges encountered by transgender individuals following the prohibition of gender-affirming healthcare in Egypt
Publisher DOI
Abstract
Introduction
Participatory empirical research on the experiences of transgender individuals accessing gender-affirming healthcare (GAH) in Egypt remains significantly underdeveloped. This gap is concerning, given that Egypt enforces a medical policy prohibiting GAH for all individuals, forcing transgender individuals to seek alternative underground and do-it-yourself GAH methods.
Aim
This study aims to investigate the challenges encountered by transgender individuals in their pursuit of GAH and to generate findings that support advocacy for their rights.
Methods
The research employs a quantitative analysis of descriptive statistics derived from a web-based survey comprising 133 respondents, complemented by qualitative analysis of open-ended questions to extract pertinent quotes.
Results
The prohibition of GAH presents multifaceted challenges, with only 22.7% of respondents having accessed it by the survey’s completion. Key barriers include financial constraints, social stigma, familial rejection, and a lack of available services and information, with financial issues being the most prominent. The unemployment rate among respondents was 37.6%, much higher than Egypt’s national average of 6.6%, suggesting that employment difficulties are exacerbated by identity-related issues. Even those employed earn insufficient wages to cover the inflated costs of GAH, which have risen due to the ban on estimates between 200,000 EGP and 500,000 EGP (4,000 USD to 10,026 USD). Stigma and discrimination in medical facilities were reported by 62.5% of respondents, with only 23% attempting to access GAH through public facilities. Community support and digital resources were crucial, as most participants relied on these for medical supervision and information on GAH access.
Conclusion
The findings provide valuable insights into the realities faced by a transgender population subjected to a comprehensive medical ban on their healthcare. This study will contribute to advocacy efforts by local transgender organizations and may inform the development of future grassroots healthcare programs and funding initiatives.
Participatory empirical research on the experiences of transgender individuals accessing gender-affirming healthcare (GAH) in Egypt remains significantly underdeveloped. This gap is concerning, given that Egypt enforces a medical policy prohibiting GAH for all individuals, forcing transgender individuals to seek alternative underground and do-it-yourself GAH methods.
Aim
This study aims to investigate the challenges encountered by transgender individuals in their pursuit of GAH and to generate findings that support advocacy for their rights.
Methods
The research employs a quantitative analysis of descriptive statistics derived from a web-based survey comprising 133 respondents, complemented by qualitative analysis of open-ended questions to extract pertinent quotes.
Results
The prohibition of GAH presents multifaceted challenges, with only 22.7% of respondents having accessed it by the survey’s completion. Key barriers include financial constraints, social stigma, familial rejection, and a lack of available services and information, with financial issues being the most prominent. The unemployment rate among respondents was 37.6%, much higher than Egypt’s national average of 6.6%, suggesting that employment difficulties are exacerbated by identity-related issues. Even those employed earn insufficient wages to cover the inflated costs of GAH, which have risen due to the ban on estimates between 200,000 EGP and 500,000 EGP (4,000 USD to 10,026 USD). Stigma and discrimination in medical facilities were reported by 62.5% of respondents, with only 23% attempting to access GAH through public facilities. Community support and digital resources were crucial, as most participants relied on these for medical supervision and information on GAH access.
Conclusion
The findings provide valuable insights into the realities faced by a transgender population subjected to a comprehensive medical ban on their healthcare. This study will contribute to advocacy efforts by local transgender organizations and may inform the development of future grassroots healthcare programs and funding initiatives.
Date Issued
2025-10-08
Publication Type
Article
Subject(s)
Subjects
Advocacy
•
community
•
healthcare ban
•
islamic
•
participatory
Language(s)
en
Additional Credits
Journal
International Journal of Transgender Health
Publisher
Taylor and Francis Group
ISSN
2689-5269
Access(Rights)
open.access