Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Thursday, Feb 26, 2026

Biden Administration Announces $500,000 Grant to Teach English in Pakistan, with a Focus on Transgender Youth

Biden Administration Announces $500,000 Grant to Teach English in Pakistan, with a Focus on Transgender Youth

The Biden administration announced a $500,000 grant on Monday to teach English in Pakistan, with a particular focus on transgender youth. The grant, offered by the State Department, aims to help Pakistani youth better participate in the global community and succeed in the workplace.

However, this decision faced criticism from some patriots who argued that there are millions of Americans within the United States that do not speak English, or also need assistance with English language education. Furthermore, there are concerns about how the grant will be implemented in a country where LGBTQ+ rights remain a contentious issue. 

On the other hand, it looks like Biden is planing to grant green cards and “import” LGBTQ+ out of Muslim countries, and teaching them English is important part of this plan.

The program consists of three components, including:

  • Professional development for English language teachers
  • Novice teacher training
  • English language instruction for transgender youth and Afghan teachers, students, and young professionals residing in Pakistan

Proposals for the component focused on transgender youth may be submitted for a minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of $75,000. The aim is to provide intensive professional development courses for Pakistani transgender youth aged between 13 and 25, as well as for Afghan teachers, students, and young professionals residing in Pakistan. The grant program encourages applicants to address the most effective way to reach the greatest number of Pakistani transgender youth and Afghan teachers, students, and young professionals across the country.

The grant funds will not be used for gender transitions, according to a spokesperson for the State Department. They said the department focuses on transgender youth and other marginalized communities in its education projects, as they often face significant barriers to education and employment.

The State Department's human rights report for Pakistan praises the country's Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Act, but also notes an increase in violence against transgender people and the under-representation of transgender events in public venues.

The grant is part of the Biden administration's broader efforts to promote human rights and equality for transgender people around the world. In 2021, the administration issued an executive order directing federal agencies to take steps to protect the rights of transgender people, including by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity in federal employment and housing.

The grant is also a sign of the growing recognition of the importance of education for transgender people. A 2019 study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law found that transgender people with a college degree are more likely to be employed and have higher incomes than those without a degree. The study also found that transgender people with a college degree are less likely to experience homelessness and poverty.

The Biden administration's grant is a welcome step in the fight for equality for transgender people in Pakistan. The grant will help to provide transgender youth with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in school and in the workplace. It will also help to raise awareness of the challenges faced by transgender people in Pakistan and to promote acceptance and inclusion.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Saudi Arabia’s Coffee Renaissance Gains Momentum as Investment and Heritage Drive Industry Growth
Saudi Shipping Leader Bahri Expands Fleet as Tanker Rates Approach $200,000 a Day
Saudi Arabia Advances First National Urban Policy Through High-Level Leadership and Institutional Alliances
Major Life Sciences Summits to Spotlight Saudi Arabia’s Rise as Regional Biotech and Pharma Hub
Saudi Arabia Reframes Red Sea and Horn of Africa Strategy Amid Rising Security and Trade Stakes
Saudi Arabia Recalibrates Its Role in Shifting Regional and Global Power Dynamics
Saudi Retail Signals to Global Brands: Localise or Lose Ground in a Rapidly Evolving Market
Saudi Arabia Looks to Human Capital Investment to Unlock Demographic Dividend
Saudi Arabia and Iran Increase Oil Exports Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Saudi Data Protection Authority Intensifies Enforcement Under Personal Data Law
Saudi Arabia Raises Oil Output and Exports Amid Contingency Planning Over Iran Tensions
USS Gerald R Ford Arrives in Souda, Crete
Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund Unit Expands Push Into Global Private Credit
Saudi Arabia Eases Headquarters Rules to Attract More Foreign Firms
Saipem Secures Major Offshore Pipeline Contract in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Targeted Oil Export Cuts to the US Seen as Strategic Signal Amid Global Supply Glut
Nemetschek Arabia Signs Strategic MoU with Saudi Facility Management Association
Gulf Markets Close Mixed as Saudi Shares Slip on Budget Deficit Concerns
Saudi Arabia Posts Largest Quarterly Budget Deficit in Years Amid Weaker Oil Revenues and Higher Spending
U.S. Lawmaker Urges Safeguards on Saudi Civil Nuclear Deal as Trump Administration Advances Agreement
Saudi Arabia and Gulf Allies Rally Behind Kuwait in Escalating Maritime Border Dispute with Iraq
Universal Aviation Secures License to Operate and Manage New General Aviation Terminal in Dammam
Tucker Carlson’s Saudi Arabia Remarks Spark Debate Over Israel Stance
GCC Secretary-General Holds Talks with EU Ambassador in Riyadh
Gulf States’ AI Investment Drive Seen as Strategic Bet on Technology and U.S. Security Ties
African Union Commission Chair Meets Saudi Vice Foreign Minister to Deepen Strategic Cooperation
President El-Sisi Holds Strategic Talks with Saudi Crown Prince in Riyadh
Lucid Unveils Up to $12,000 Incentive for Air and Gravity Models in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Enters Global AI Partnership, Expanding Its Role in International Technology Governance
Saudi Arabia’s Landmark U.S. LNG Agreement Signals Major Strategic Shift
Saudi Arabia Accelerates Global Gaming Push with Billion-Dollar Deals and Expanded PIF Mandate
Saudi Arabia Reports $25.28 Billion Budget Deficit in Fourth Quarter of 2025
Alvarez & Marsal Tax Establishes Dedicated Pillar Two and Transfer Pricing Team in Saudi Arabia
United States Approves Over Fifteen Billion Dollars in Major Arms Sales to Israel and Saudi Arabia
Pre-Iftar Walks Gain Momentum as Ramadan Wellness Trend Spreads
Middle East Jackup Rig Fleet Contracts Further After Saudi Drilling Suspensions
Türkiye and Saudi Arabia Prepare to Sign Five Gigawatt Renewable Energy Deal at COP31
King Mohammed VI Congratulates Saudi Leadership on Founding Day, Reaffirming Strategic Ties
US Envoy Huckabee Clarifies Remarks on Israel After Expansionism Controversy
Saudi Arabia Introduces Limited Exceptions to Regional Headquarters Requirement for Foreign Firms
Saudi Arabia Joins Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, Elevating Its Role in Shaping AI Governance
Saudi Arabia and Arab States Mobilise Diplomatically After U.S. Envoy’s Israel Remarks
Cristiano Ronaldo Reaffirms His Commitment to Saudi Arabia Amid Transfer Speculation
Proposed US-Saudi Nuclear Deal Raises Questions Over Uranium Enrichment Provisions
Saudi Arabia Sends 81st Aid Flight to Gaza as Humanitarian Air Bridge Continues
Global Games Show Riyadh 2026 Positioned as Catalyst for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia Eases Procurement Rules, Allowing Foreign Firms Greater Access to Government Contracts
Türkiye and Saudi Arabia Seal Two Billion Dollar Solar Energy Agreement
Saudi Crown Prince Reportedly Sends Letter to UAE Leader Over Yemen and Sudan Policies
Saudi Arabia Voices Concerns to UAE Over Sudan Conflict and Yemen Strategy
×