When Tashnuva Anan Shishir read news on Bangladesh’s Boishakhi TV channel on the International Women’s Day, the real headline was that she, a transgender, had found acceptance after long years. This was a victory for the transgender community in the country as well as for LGBTQ rights everywhere. Still, this is only the first step and much more is needed for their equal status in society.

Bangladesh which in 2013 recognized ‘third gender’ or ‘hijras’ (those assigned male gender at birth but who identify as female), but society views the community as unnatural and not in tune with Islam. Transgender people are forced to face ridicule, bullying and harassment or live their lives on the margins. The Department of Social Services of the government admits the 11,000-strong community is a “neglected and backward group.” [http://www.dss.gov.bd/site/page/e3108b96] That one of them is now in a prominent position and seen – and taken seriously – in newsrooms and living rooms across the country is described as a “seismic change”. [https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/17/world/asia/bangladesh-transgender-tv-anchor.html] The TV station termed the initiative as “historic” and hoped it would “inspire the society to change attitudes.” This should assuage a sense of self-respect among other members of the community.

Social attitudes are changing, but painfully slowly. The Bangladesh society has been described as conservative and patriarchal. A colonial-era law continues to criminalize same-sex intercourse. The government has started a livelihood development program, but its bureaucratic implementation has drawn criticism [https://www.hrw.org/report/2016/12/23/i-want-live-my-head-held-high/abuses-bangladeshs-legal-recognition-hijras]. In any case, there are few economic opportunities ahead for people with alternative sexual identities. As Shishir points out, the government can make a beginning with a transgender rights bill.

For terminology and background:
https://www.hrw.org/report/2016/12/23/i-want-live-my-head-held-high/abuses-bangladeshs-legal-recognition-hijras