Nadeem Kashish is a Pakistani transgender activist, politician and radio show host.[1] She became one of the four transgender people to run for office in the 2018 Pakistan general elections.[2][3]
Nadeem Kashish | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Occupation(s) | Transgender rights activist, politician |
Personal life
editKashish was disowned by her family[4] and thrown out of her home in Multan at the age of 16 because of her feminine behavior. Kashish then joined a house of Gurus[clarification needed], where the community of transgender people in Pakistan usually live. The Guru; the head of the house would provide food and shelter to the residents of the house. However, Kashish left the house and cut ties with the Guru, after she was forced by him in prostitution; a work that most transgender people living in these sanctuary's are bound to. Kashish then joined a television program in Islamabad as a makeup artist. From there she started working for NGOs that help the transgender community.[5] Kashish lives in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Career
editIn 2006, Kashish worked as a makeup artist. She then joined FM-99 as a radio show host where she highlighted the problems faced by transgender community in Pakistan.[6]
She also started work as an activist and started her own organization "Shemale Association for Fundamental Rights (Safar).[7][8] She is the president of the NGO.[9]
In 2018, Kashish joined politics when she stood for the election campaigns.[10]
Activism
editKashish ran a door to door campaign.[7] Her stated goal is to improve the transgender community and fight for their rights.[7] She also created her own transgender people's shelter in Islamabad, that houses many transgender people in the community.[11]
Kashish is also advocating against the Guru culture in the transgender community.[12]
Kashish was also part of a mosque construction project that is underway for the transgender community residing in slums of Islamabad.[13]
2018 elections
editIn 2018, the government of Pakistan passed a bill that allowed transgender people to determine their own gender in all official documents, obtain ID cards passports and drivers license,[14][15] to vote and to not be discriminated for employment.[16] [17] This removed the gender criteria and Nadeem Kashish along with four other transgender activists become the first transgender to participate in general elections.[18][19]
Kashish along with other transgender candidates was compensated from the election fee by the government of Pakistan.[20] Kashish stood in elections for NA-53 in Islamabad against Shahid Khakan Abbasi and Imran Khan of PTI. She gained a total of 22 votes.[21][22]
During the campaign, Kashish advocated for transgender rights and conservation of water for the next generations.[23]
References
edit- ^ "Transgender community of Pakistan launches political party seeking equal rights". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ "Pakistan Elections 2018: Transgender acid attack survivor, Nayyab Ali, running for Parliament, cast her vote". www.timesnownews.com. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ "Pakistan rights group issues warning ahead of polls". AP NEWS. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ "Pakistan's Transgender Candidates Step Onto Political Stage". Time. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ "Transgender campaigns for acceptance in Pakistan election". www.efe.com. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ "Pakistan's first transgender radio host". Pakistan Saga. 10 December 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ a b c Malik, Shiza (25 June 2018). "'Only with participation of transgender people will democracy be complete,' says Nadeem Kashish". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ "Transgenders feel left out of Covid-19 aid conversation". The Express Tribune. 9 April 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ "Call for engaging 'Gurus' to develop transgender database | Pakistan Today". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ "Transgender participation in Pakistan's elections - Rights - Women talk online - DW.COM". Women Talk Online – A forum for women to talk to women. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ "Virus pushes Pakistan's transgender dancers out of their homes". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ "Pakistan transgender leader calls for end to culture of 'gurus'". the Guardian. 25 December 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ "Mosque not just for transgenders, says Kashish". The Nation. 24 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ "Pakistan's Transgender Activists Look Ahead to Elections". Time. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ seattle times (19 August 2017). "Transgender Pakistanis".
- ^ "transgender campaigns for acceptance in Pakistan election". The Daily Star. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ Guramani, Nadir (7 March 2018). "Senate unanimously approves bill empowering transgenders to determine their own identity". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ "Hoping against hope, Pakistan's transgenders launch election fight". The Express Tribune. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ "The transgender acid attack survivor running for parliament". BBC News. 19 July 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ "Trans elections | Dialogue | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ "Victory for the third gender | Dialogue | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ "General Elections 2018: 'Kashish' set to challenge PTI Chairman and former premier – Pakistan". Dunya News. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ "Hoping against hope, Pakistan's transgenders launch election fight". The Week. Retrieved 21 November 2020.