Nadeem Kashish Explained

Nadeem Kashish
Nationality:Pakistani
Occupation:Transgender rights activist, politician

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]

Personal life

Kashish 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, 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

In 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

Kashish ran a door to door campaign. Her stated goal is to improve the transgender community and fight for their rights. 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

In 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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Transgender community of Pakistan launches political party seeking equal rights. 21 November 2020. gulfnews.com. en.
  2. Web site: Pakistan Elections 2018: Transgender acid attack survivor, Nayyab Ali, running for Parliament, cast her vote. 21 November 2020. www.timesnownews.com. en.
  3. Web site: 16 July 2018. Pakistan rights group issues warning ahead of polls. 21 November 2020. AP NEWS.
  4. Pakistan's Transgender Candidates Step Onto Political Stage. 10 November 2020. Time.
  5. Web site: Transgender campaigns for acceptance in Pakistan election. 10 November 2020. www.efe.com. en.
  6. Web site: 10 December 2018. Pakistan's first transgender radio host. 21 November 2020. Pakistan Saga. en-US.
  7. Web site: Malik. Shiza. 25 June 2018. 'Only with participation of transgender people will democracy be complete,' says Nadeem Kashish. 10 November 2020. DAWN.COM. en.
  8. Web site: 9 April 2020. Transgenders feel left out of Covid-19 aid conversation. 21 November 2020. The Express Tribune. en.
  9. Web site: Call for engaging 'Gurus' to develop transgender database Pakistan Today. 21 November 2020. www.pakistantoday.com.pk.
  10. Web site: Transgender participation in Pakistan's elections - Rights - Women talk online - DW.COM. 21 November 2020. Women Talk Online – A forum for women to talk to women. en-US.
  11. News: . Virus pushes Pakistan's transgender dancers out of their homes. Bangkok Post. 21 November 2020.
  12. Web site: 25 December 2016. Pakistan transgender leader calls for end to culture of 'gurus'. 21 November 2020. the Guardian. en.
  13. Web site: 24 November 2016. Mosque not just for transgenders, says Kashish. 21 November 2020. The Nation. en.
  14. Pakistan's Transgender Activists Look Ahead to Elections. 10 November 2020. Time.
  15. Web site: seattle times. 19 August 2017. Transgender Pakistanis.
  16. Web site: 21 July 2018. transgender campaigns for acceptance in Pakistan election. 10 November 2020. The Daily Star. en.
  17. Web site: Guramani. Nadir. 7 March 2018. Senate unanimously approves bill empowering transgenders to determine their own identity. 10 November 2020. DAWN.COM. en.
  18. Web site: 9 July 2018. Hoping against hope, Pakistan's transgenders launch election fight. 10 November 2020. The Express Tribune. en.
  19. News: 19 July 2018. The transgender acid attack survivor running for parliament. en-GB. BBC News. 10 November 2020.
  20. Web site: Trans elections Dialogue thenews.com.pk. 10 November 2020. www.thenews.com.pk. en.
  21. Web site: Victory for the third gender Dialogue thenews.com.pk. 10 November 2020. www.thenews.com.pk. en.
  22. Web site: General Elections 2018: 'Kashish' set to challenge PTI Chairman and former premier – Pakistan. 10 November 2020. Dunya News.
  23. Web site: Hoping against hope, Pakistan's transgenders launch election fight. 21 November 2020. The Week. en.

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