Transgender nominees at municipal polls

In a country where the transgender community is still marginalised economically, socially and politically, it is undoubtedly great news that two transgender persons are participating in the municipality polls in the south-western districts, challenging stereotypes and representing the voices of the downtrodden. It is the first time in the country's history that they have been represented in the political arena. Their participation in the polls and the support they are receiving at their respective municipalities highlight the laudable progress that Bangladesh has made in promoting and protecting the rights of this marginalised group.

The government, in recent years, has taken a number of positive steps to address the plight of the transgender community and to incorporate them into mainstream society. In 2013, the cabinet decided that people could identify themselves as "third gender" in different government forms and documents, rather than be compelled to pick either the male or female gender. What is unfortunate, however, is that this decision is yet to be reflected in the nomination forms for both mayoral and councillor aspirants. As a result, the two nominees were forced to tick the "female" box. We urge the government to rectify this oversight – an oversight that can only exacerbate the transgender community's feeling of exclusion in a society that already ostracizes them.

Political representation of sexual minorities is a prerequisite to ensuring that their demands are heard and appropriate policies are taken to ensure their socio-economic development. In addition to the female quota, the government ought to introduce quotas for individuals of the third gender to encourage more members to participate in the electoral process and make our democracy a more inclusive one.