Nayab Ali, a Pakistani transgender activist, has won the Gala Award in Dublin

When we talk about transgender rights, we can truly appreciate how far Pakistan has come. In the last ten years, activists have stood up to address the rights of transgender people in different arenas and platforms. It was not an easy journey but now that we can see the results of their hard work, we know that it was all worth it. One such person who has worked tirelessly in the last ten years to support Pakistani transgenders is Nayab Ali. She did her Bachelors with honors from Punjab University and then pursued her Master’s in International Relations from Preston University. She used her intelligence and knowledge to help the government establish institutions that assisted transgender people. Her close work with them really helped to streamline the progress the government was making.

On Tuesday, January 11 2020, Nayab bagged an international activism award, the Gala Award. She was one of the only four nominated by Amnesty International, Frontline Defenders, and the International LGBT Action Foundation. She was excited but unfortunately upon her arrival to Dublin she fell ill. Fearing for the safety of other who were attending the award ceremony, Nayab decided to stay in and recorded a thank you video instead.

Last month, Nayab made history by being the first transgender Pakistani to register a company with Pakistan Securities and Exchange Commission. Her life is full of extraordinary moments that have not only helped her personally, but have also helped her community in so many ways. She was also one of the few transgender people who for the first time in Pakistan’s history, stood up in the general elections. Her work is truly admirable.

Cover Image: www.tnn.com.pk