Nepal: Transgender Victory

Last September, the Nepalese government decided to recognize a third gender, “O”, on all passports, an unprecedented move for the nation. The new policy allows  transgender people to identify their gender on official documentation as “Other.” The Human Rights Campaign, one of the largest LGBT civil rights advocacy groups in the United States, called this move: “a historic first for a nation in Asia.”

Recently, The Guardian reported that Bhumika Shrestha became the first person to ever travel with these newly marked documents. Shrestha has been an avid activist for transgender rights in Nepal since her transition, inspired by the bullying and discrimination she faced as a child.“We have travel documents and identity cards now, but it is not enough,” she states, “We need equal opportunities in education and employment, and access to healthcare.”

Shrestha represents a large minority group in Nepal known as hijras. The umbrella term encompasses eunuchs, intersex or transgender people. According to NPR, gender identity for hijras is very flexible and they often consider themselves neither male or female. Their existence dates back to almost 4,000 years ago, and they have featured prominently in Hinduism as a symbol of luck and fertility. However, despite such longstanding cultural and religious significance, hijras continue to be ostracized from society today.

In many South Asian nations, hijras often live on the margins of society and are forced to live in poverty in communes due to transphobic violence, harassment and discrimination. Religion New Services reports that in India, where hijras play an important role in Hindu rituals and ceremonies, widespread discrimination still exists.

Similarly, NPR reports that in Pakistan, where hijras are often considered good luck for babies and newlyweds, there are still many cases of discrimination such as police rape and ostracization. The lack of acceptance has in turn led to widespread health problems; a 2012 United Nations Development Programme report discovered that in certain areas of Asia, 49% of transgender people were living with HIV.

While there is still much to be done, Nepal has taken the first step to advancing transgender rights. In other parts of South Asia, there have also been positive developments. In 2009 and 2014 respectively, the governments of India and Pakistan passed laws officially recognizing a “third gender.” Deccan Chronicle also reported earlier this month that transgenders in India are beginning to run for local office. Looking ahead, the transgender movement appears to be gaining momentum but entrenched stigmas and attitudes will remain significant obstacles.