A member of the Hijra community is creating waves in Rangpur city by taking a shot at a councillor post in the upcoming city corporation election. Nadira Begum is spending day and night meeting the residents of wards 20, 21 and 22 in the reserved seats for women andas a member of the third gender community. “Voters accepted me more than I expected,” Nadira told the Dhaka Tribune while campaigning at the Babukhun High School ground. Driven by these challenges, in 1999 she established a voluntary organization that works towards ensuring rights and protection of the transgender community. “I took hope from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recognition of the Hijra community in 2013,” Nadira said.

Source: Dhaka Tribune December 19, 2017 16:41 UTC