Nayyab Ali
{{Short description|Pakistani activist}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Nayyab Ali
| image =
| birth_place = Okara, Punjab, Pakistan
| alma_mater = {{indented plainlist|
- Bachelor's in Botany at University of Punjab
- Masters in International Relations at Preston University}}
| occupation = Activist and politician
}}
Nayyab Ali is a Pakistani transgender activist with over ten years of experience advocating for and defending the human rights of the transgender community in Pakistan. Her work addresses issues such as gender inequality and focuses on economically empowering and improving the livelihoods of transgender individuals. In 2020, she was awarded the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights for her efforts in promoting transgender rights.{{Cite web |last=van Treel |first=Maren |date=2021-02-27 |title="Make your identity your strength" |url=https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/life/transgender-activist-nayyab-ali-awarded-by-germany |website=deutschland.de |access-date=2021-04-25 |archive-date=2021-04-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425002720/https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/life/transgender-activist-nayyab-ali-awarded-by-germany |url-status=live }} Ali was also one of the first among thirteen transgender candidates to run for election in the 2018 Pakistan elections.{{Cite web |date=2018-06-13 |title=Pakistan: 13 transgenders to contest July 25 elections |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/pakistan/pakistan-13-transgenders-to-contest-july-25-elections-5215993/ |access-date=2020-11-22 |website=The Indian Express |place=Peshawar |agency=Press Trust of India |archive-date=2020-12-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209083748/https://indianexpress.com/article/pakistan/pakistan-13-transgenders-to-contest-july-25-elections-5215993/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2018-07-25 |title=Okara: Transgender candidate Nayab Ali casts vote |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1422556/okara-transgender-candidate-nayab-ali-casts-vote |access-date=2020-11-11 |website=Dawn |archive-date=2020-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127183058/https://www.dawn.com/news/1422556/okara-transgender-candidate-nayab-ali-casts-vote |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last= |date=2018-06-14 |title=13 transgenders to contest Pak elections |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/13-transgenders-to-contest-pak-elections-118061400107_1.html |access-date=2020-11-11 |work=Business Standard |agency=ANI |archive-date=2021-11-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103045056/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/13-transgenders-to-contest-pak-elections-118061400107_1.html |url-status=live }} Additionally, she is the first Pakistani to receive the GALA award{{Cite web |date=2020-02-11 |title=Trans Woman Nayab Ali |url=https://www.newsone.tv/urdu/tag/trans-woman-nayab-ali |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209030542/https://www.newsone.tv/urdu/tag/trans-woman-nayab-ali |archive-date=2020-12-09 |access-date=2020-11-22 |website=News One |language=ur}} and the first transgender woman to be elected as co-chairperson of the EVAW/G Alliance.{{Cite web |last=MTK |date=2019-07-24 |title=Nayyab Ali – first trans-woman, elected co-chairperson of EVAW/G Alliance |url=https://pakngos.com.pk/nayyab-ali-first-trans-woman-elected-co-chairperson-of-evaw-g-alliance/ |website=PakNGOs |place=Islamabad |access-date=2021-04-25 |archive-date=2021-04-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425002720/https://pakngos.com.pk/nayyab-ali-first-trans-woman-elected-co-chairperson-of-evaw-g-alliance/ |url-status=live }} In 2020, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Pakistan named her a Gender Equality Advocate.{{Cite web |last=Jamshaid |first=Umer |date=2020-08-10 |title=UNDP Declares Nayyab Ali As Gender Equality Advocate In Pakistan |url=https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/undp-declares-nayyab-ali-as-gender-equality-a-997936.html |website=UrduPoint |place=Islamabad |access-date=2021-04-25 |archive-date=2021-04-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425002719/https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/undp-declares-nayyab-ali-as-gender-equality-a-997936.html |url-status=live }}
Personal life
Nayyab Ali was born in Okara, Pakistan.{{Cite web |last=Ahmad |first=Imtiaz |date=2018-05-06 |title=Transgender activist Nayyab Ali to contest Pakistan national election |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/transgender-activist-to-fight-pakistan-national-election/story-3mCvtH7740ek8WLTvJPb2J.html |access-date=2020-11-22 |website=Hindustan Times |archive-date=2020-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109041343/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/transgender-activist-to-fight-pakistan-national-election/story-3mCvtH7740ek8WLTvJPb2J.html |url-status=live }} In the eighth grade, she was disowned by her family after coming out as transgender.{{Cite news |last1=Ali |first1=Zulfiqar |last2=Bisset |first2=Victoria |date=2018-07-19 |title=The transgender acid attack survivor running for parliament |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44684714 |access-date=2020-11-11 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=2020-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109034622/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44684714 |url-status=live }} She then lived with a guru while continuing her studies.{{Cite web |last=Wasif |first=Sehrish |date=2018-05-04 |title=First time: Transgender set to contest NA polls from Okara |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1702683/transgender-set-contest-na-polls-okara |access-date=2020-11-22 |website=The Express Tribune |place=Islamabadd |archive-date=2021-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105162223/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1702683/transgender-set-contest-na-polls-okara |url-status=live }} Ali earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Botany from the University of Punjab and a Master’s degree in International Relations from Preston University, Islamabad.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-02-12 |title=Nayab Ali becomes first Pakistani transgender person to win Gala Award |url=https://www.tnn.com.pk/nayab-ali-becomes-first-pakistani-transgender-person-to-win-gala-award/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811060914/https://www.tnn.com.pk/nayab-ali-becomes-first-pakistani-transgender-person-to-win-gala-award/ |archive-date=2020-08-11 |access-date=2020-11-11 |website=Tribal News Network |place=Peshawar}}{{Cite web |last=Bilal |first=Amir |date=2020-01-23 |title='Nayab Ali' First Pakistani Transgender Nominated for GALAS Awards Dublin 2020 |url=https://thetranspress.com/nayab-ali-gala-award/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929015813/https://thetranspress.com/nayab-ali-gala-award/ |archive-date=2020-09-29 |access-date=2020-11-22 |website=The Transpress}} During her school years, she experienced harassment.{{Cite web |date=2020-01-26 |title=Transgender from Pakistan nominated for global award |url=https://mmnews.tv/transgender-from-pakistan-nominated-for-global-award/ |access-date=2020-11-22 |website=MM News |place=Islamabad |archive-date=2020-12-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209213120/https://mmnews.tv/transgender-from-pakistan-nominated-for-global-award/ |url-status=live }} Additionally, she is a survivor of an acid attack.
Career
Ali worked as a teacher before beginning her political career.{{Cite web |date=2018-07-25 |title=The third gender candidates in the race |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/204205-the-third-gender-candidates-in-the-race |access-date=2020-11-11 |website=Geo TV |archive-date=2020-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112222156/https://www.geo.tv/latest/204205-the-third-gender-candidates-in-the-race |url-status=live }} She has also served as a Transgender Rights Expert Consultant and Master Trainer for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).{{Cite web |date=2020-10-11 |title=Nayyab Ali is one of the most prominent transgender figures in Pakistan. |url=https://www.facebook.com/undppakistan/posts/nayyab-ali-is-one-of-the-most-prominent-transgender-people-of-pakistan-she-is-an/3435737176472539/ |website=UNDP Pakistan |publisher=Facebook}}
Activism
Ali began her work for transgender rights at the age of 17 by writing articles and discussing issues affecting the transgender community. Her current efforts focus on advocating for the welfare of the transgender community in Pakistan and managing the Khawaja Sira Community Centre in Okara. The centre offers various programs for transgender individuals, including basic literacy and numeracy, vocational training, life skills education, and driving classes.{{Cite web |date=2019-09-08 |title=Nayyab Ali |url=https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/profile/nayyab-ali |access-date=2020-11-11 |website=Front Line Defenders |archive-date=2020-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117102105/https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/profile/nayyab-ali |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |author= |date=2020-02-11 |title=Pakistani trans activist Nayyab Ali recognised as International Activist of the Year |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1184628 |access-date=2020-11-22 |website=Images |publisher=Dawn |archive-date=2020-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201222437/https://images.dawn.com/news/1184628 |url-status=live }} In addition to her advocacy, Ali has also worked as an independent consultant with the United Nations.
She has also served as the Chairperson of the All Pakistan Transgender Election Network (APTEN). For the past decade, Ali has provided technical support to government institutions to improve the lives of the transgender community and ensure their basic human rights.{{Cite web |date=2020-01-25 |title=Nayab Ali- First Pakistani transgender nominated for GALAS awards |url=https://www.dialoguepakistan.com/nayab-ali-first-pakistani-transgender-nominated-for-galas-awards/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111162421/https://www.dialoguepakistan.com/nayab-ali-first-pakistani-transgender-nominated-for-galas-awards/ |archive-date=2020-11-11 |access-date=2020-11-11 |website=Dialogue Pakistan}}
Ali has provided technical support to incorporate community input and establish the foundational legislative framework for the protection of transgender rights in Pakistan.{{Cite web |date=2020-09-20 |title=Transgender Rights Protection Act 2020 in Punjab to be tabled soon |url=https://nation.com.pk/20-Sep-2020/transgender-rights-protection-act-2020-in-punjab-to-be-tabled-soon |website=The Nation |place=Islamabad |access-date=2021-04-25 |archive-date=2021-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103214917/https://nation.com.pk/20-Sep-2020/transgender-rights-protection-act-2020-in-punjab-to-be-tabled-soon |url-status=live }}
Politics
In 2018, a historic bill was enacted, granting the transgender community the right to obtain legal documents, vote, and run in elections.{{Cite web |last=Azhar |first=Hafza |date=2020-09-22 |title=Transgender community hails KP's Govt initiative? |url=https://en.baaghitv.com/transgender-community-hails-kps-govt-initiative/ |access-date=2020-11-22 |website=BaaghiTV English |place=Islamabad |agency=Associated Press of Pakistan |archive-date=2020-12-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212024418/https://en.baaghitv.com/transgender-community-hails-kps-govt-initiative/ |url-status=live }} Ali, along with 12 other transgender candidates, became one of the first transgender individuals to stand in the 2018 Pakistan elections.{{Cite web|title=Exclusive Interview with Pakistani Transgender Nayab Ali|url=https://www.tvnews.pk/tag/exclusive-interview-with-pakistani-transgender-nayab-ali/access-date=2020-11-22|website=Tv News|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-12-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209221528/https://www.tvnews.pk/tag/exclusive-interview-with-pakistani-transgender-nayab-ali/url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|date=2018-06-03|title=4 trans persons to contest elections on PTI-Gulalai's tickets|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/248696/4-trans-persons-to-contest-elections-on-pti-gulalais-tickets/|access-date=2020-11-22|website=Daily Times|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-12-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210145519/https://dailytimes.com.pk/248696/4-trans-persons-to-contest-elections-on-pti-gulalais-tickets/|url-status=live}} She ran for the National Assembly seat NA-142 in Okara, contesting on PTI's Ayesha Gulalai's ticket,{{Cite web|title=13 transgenders to contest Pak elections|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/13-transgenders-to-contest-pak-elections201806140335470001/|access-date=2020-11-11|website=ANI News|language=en|archive-date=2021-11-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103043554/https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/13-transgenders-to-contest-pak-elections201806140335470001/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Pakistan's 13 transgender candidates face threats of violence {{!}} SAMAA|url=https://www.samaa.tv/uncategorized/2018/06/pakistans-13-transgender-candidates-face-threats-of-violence/|access-date=2020-11-11|website=Samaa TV|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-11-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118223817/https://www.samaa.tv/uncategorized/2018/06/pakistans-13-transgender-candidates-face-threats-of-violence/|url-status=live}} and received a total of 1,197 votes, surpassing many of her female counterparts.{{Cite web|title=Transgender candidate from KP gets 536 votes|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/348076-transgender-candidate-from-kp-gets-536-votes|access-date=2020-11-11|website=www.thenews.com.pk|language=en|archive-date=2020-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112184323/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/348076-transgender-candidate-from-kp-gets-536-votes|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=13 transgenders to contest July 25 elections in Pakistan|url=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/13-transgenders-to-contest-july-25-elections-in-pak-144179|access-date=2020-11-22|website=WION|date=13 June 2018 |language=en|archive-date=2020-11-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109031447/https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/13-transgenders-to-contest-july-25-elections-in-pak-144179|url-status=live}}
Ali is a member of the Provincial Voter Committee of the Election Commission of Pakistan{{Cite web |last=Arshad |first=Usman |date=2018-05-05 |title=Transgender to contest elections from Okara for the first time |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/transgender-set-to-contest-na-polls-for-first-time/ |access-date=2020-11-11 |website=Daily Pakistan |place=Islamabad |archive-date=2018-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811232358/https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/transgender-set-to-contest-na-polls-for-first-time/ |url-status=live }} and is also part of the All Pakistan Transgender Election Network in Punjab.
Awards
In 2020, Nayyab Ali became the first person from Pakistan to receive the GALA International Activist Award in Dublin, Ireland.{{Cite web |date=2020-02-11 |title=Pakistani transgender activist Nayyab Ali wins Gala Award |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/02/11/pakistani-transgender-activist-nayyab-ali-wins-gala-award/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112193633/https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/02/11/pakistani-transgender-activist-nayyab-ali-wins-gala-award/ |archive-date=2020-11-12 |access-date=2020-11-11 |website=Pakistan Today}} The awards, organized by the National LGBT Federation of Ireland (NXF), recognized Ali as "an international activist outside of Ireland who works tirelessly to promote the full equality and inclusion of gender minorities in society."{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-02-08 |title=Nayab Ali becomes the first Pakistani transgender person to win Gala Award |url=https://www.thedayspring.com.pk/nayab-ali-becomes-first-pakistani-transgender-person-to-win-gala-award/ |access-date=2020-11-11 |website=The Dayspring |place=Dublin |archive-date=2020-11-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119043924/https://www.thedayspring.com.pk/nayab-ali-becomes-first-pakistani-transgender-person-to-win-gala-award/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Din |first=Naya |date=2020-01-24 |title=Transgender woman becomes first Pakistani nominee for GALAS awards |url=https://www.samaa.tv/pakistan-news/2020/01/transgender-woman-becomes-first-pakistani-nominee-for-galas-awards/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210105356/https://www.samaa.tv/pakistan-news/2020/01/transgender-woman-becomes-first-pakistani-nominee-for-galas-awards/ |archive-date=2020-12-10 |access-date=2020-11-22 |website=Samaa TV}} She is also a laureate of the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights & the Rule of Law{{Cite news |last=Jamal |first=Sana |date=2020-12-10 |title=Pakistani transgender activist wins Franco-German prize for human rights |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/pakistani-transgender-activist-wins-franco-german-prize-for-human-rights-1.75815842 |work=Gulf News |location=Islamabad |access-date=2021-04-25 |archive-date=2021-04-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425002719/https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/pakistani-transgender-activist-wins-franco-german-prize-for-human-rights-1.75815842 |url-status=live }} and received the APCOM HERO Asia Award in the Transgender category in 2020.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-11-29 |title=Pakistan Won Hero Asia Awards {{!}} Nayab Ali Pakistan's Pride |url=https://gharana.pk/pakistan-won-hero-asia-awards-nayab-ali-pakistans-pride/ |website=Gharana |access-date=2021-04-25 |archive-date=2021-04-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425002720/https://gharana.pk/pakistan-won-hero-asia-awards-nayab-ali-pakistans-pride/ |url-status=live }}
Nayyab Ali was the first Pakistani transgender person to win the 2nd Interactive Youth Forum (ISYD) 2020 award for her work in ensuring basic rights for her community.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ali, Nayyab}}
Category:Pakistani women's rights activists
Category:Transgender rights activists
Category:21st-century Pakistani women politicians
Category:Pakistani LGBTQ politicians
Category:Pakistani transgender women
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)