Bangladesh's neighbours – India, Nepal and Pakistan – have already recognized this community. Transgender people, for the very first time in the country's history, can now be voters as “hijras.” Previously, they were registered only as women or men on the national voters list — as there was no third option for the people of this community. The Election Commission (EC), on the voter registration form, has recently added hijra along with the other two gender categories, male and female.

“When officials go door-to-door, from April 23, in order to collect information and update the present voters list, people of this community will be able to register as hijras on their voter registration form,” he added.

However, when contacted, members of this community expressed that they want the word "transgender" as the third option, not the word hijra. Transgender individual Ivan Ahmed Katha, president of Socheton Somaj Seba Hijra Songho said: "The initiative that the government has taken is good. We respect our government's decision. However, things need to be clearer regarding this issue. Since the international community is not that familiar with the word hijra, it may create problems for us when we go abroad. We request the government change the word into transgender or third gender since these words are recognized internationally,” she added.

Another transgender individual, Tashnuva Anan, echoed this. She said: "The word hijra is a local word and the international community is not aware of this. It bears the name of a group, not an individual."

According to the report of Department of Social Services, there are about 10,000 transgender people in Bangladesh. Organizations working for them have long been demanding their official recognition as a third gender. Read more via Dhaka Tribune