A room of one's own

Published October 11, 2011
Bindia, the leader of the clan, stares at her self in mirror as she brushes her hair.
Bindia, the leader of the clan, stares at her self in mirror as she brushes her hair.
One of the eunuchs, rests in bed, while smoking a cigarette.
One of the eunuchs, rests in bed, while smoking a cigarette.
A glimpse into the room shared by a few members, they only have one mattress in this room.
A glimpse into the room shared by a few members, they only have one mattress in this room.
At the end of the day, everyone sits down to relax.
At the end of the day, everyone sits down to relax.
A tv and stereo lie in the corner of one of the bedrooms.
A tv and stereo lie in the corner of one of the bedrooms.
Sitting under a window in one of the many cramped spaces shared in this house.
Sitting under a window in one of the many cramped spaces shared in this house.
These three roommates pose for the camera.
These three roommates pose for the camera.
Sitting all decked up with fresh henna applied.
Sitting all decked up with fresh henna applied.

An insight into the lives of eunuchs living in Karachi. Half a dozen eunuchs share an apartment in Mehmoodabad, where they have a secure place to call home. After a long day out on the streets, they come home to each other, living as a family. Photos by Hussain Afzal, text by Shameen Khan.

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