In an exclusive interview with Dhaka Tribune’s Nawaz Farhin Antara, transgender woman and gender rights activist Ho Chi Minh Islam speaks about her vision for the transgender community, its present situation and the need to improve its conditions without encroaching on opportunities for girls
Dhaka Tribune: How do you feel about teaching as a transgender woman, and have students accepted you?
Ho Chi Minh Islam: I enjoy learning and teaching nursing, which is my profession. When I pursued my master's degree, many people thought I would not return to nursing; perhaps I would enter the research field or something else. However, I am focusing on patients' rights, so this is where I am rooted. Initially, there was some fear about how I would start or how students would perceive me. I sent CVs to various places and, after receiving positive responses from several, I joined a private university as a part-time teacher, instructing students in psychiatric nursing. I teach classes two days a week, and both the students and I feel a connection.
People in our community who work like this must face significant challenges. A few days after I started teaching, a student approached me, revealing that he was transgender and expressing admiration for my work.
How did you return to nursing after completing your Masters?
I secured a government job. Seven days after completing my post-graduation, I joined Chhagalnaiya Upazila Health Complex in Feni, which was a pivotal experience in my life. I viewed it as a learning phase and stayed there for only three months. I faced apprehension due to unchanged documents still identifying me as male. Many aspects did not align with my past and present, making it seem like this opportunity could be revoked at any time. Despite initial unease about my posting in a conservative area near the Indian border, I spoke to the Upazila Health Officer about my identity. He arranged for me to stay in an old building, and despite my concerns, the community warmly received me as a health service worker, allowing me to contribute through data entry work.
Where is your current posting?
Given my commitment to advocating for my community, I chose to stay in Dhaka. I applied to the directorate, and now I am posted at the National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital in Dhaka, working in the postoperative ward.
My future plan is to ensure a dignified life for people in our community, eradicating discrimination and ensuring equal participation everywhere. I believe individuals like us should reach the highest levels of state structures to speak and represent our community. A country and its social system cannot be truly good if any community or group is left behind.
While there are many similarities within the transgender community, there are also differences. Although I initially aimed to support the Hijra community, I now focus on creating a workplace specifically for transgender people, ensuring proper education and preventing them from resorting to the streets. I want to assist those facing educational or employment challenges due to their identity.
As a transgender woman, do you aspire to work as a lawmaker in parliament?
I considered participating in elections and seeking nomination, recognizing the need for position and power to secure rights, especially coming from a background of visible restrictions and class differences. However, being currently employed in a government job, I cannot pursue this immediately. I would need to resign, wait three years, and then consider electoral participation. Hence, I didn't attempt to run in the twelfth election.
Surviving in politics is challenging, and going to parliament, let alone prevailing there, is tough. Politics often feels like rocket science, and it requires a critical approach for survival.
Are you considering reserved seats?
I am unsure if I have to wait three years after leaving my government job to be nominated for a reserved seat, but there are rules to follow. Some members of our community recently held a press conference, demanding at least two reserved seats outside those allocated for women. We advocate for separate seats, as many believe we are taking opportunities away from cisgender girls. We assert that two reserved seats should be specifically designated for the transgender community, ensuring our rights without encroaching on opportunities for girls. We seek specific opportunities in every state institution to secure our position.
