2020
TRANSGENDER HERO
Recipient
Supported by our Community Partner – APTN
Nayyab Ali
Pakistan
This award recognizes the work of a transgender person who has improved the lives of transgender people in any capacity in specific countries in Asia and the Pacific or across the region more broadly.
Nayyab Ali is a prominent transgender rights activist & Human Rights Defender from Pakistan. She is also the first transwoman in the Muslim world to contest national polls with political affiliation from NA142 Okara, Punjab Pakistan. She is running an organization and consultancy firm named Transgender Rights Consultants Pakistan.
I was attacked and physically assaulted last week only due to advocating against ongoing attacks on the transgender community. I was feeling very unsafe and disheartened during this traumatic situation, but at the same time receiving this prestigious title filled me with more courage to work for the rights of our community and make a safe world for the LGBTQI Community. This acknowledgment gave me hope that one day we will be equal, empowered and change the world.
