Interview with Tashnuva Anan Shishir

Breaking barriers and rewriting history, Tashnuva Anan Shishir has become a powerful voice for transgender rights in Bangladesh and beyond. As a model, actress, activist, and news anchor, she has shattered societal norms, proving that representation is not just necessary - it is transformative. On March 8, 2021, she made headlines as Bangladesh’s first openly transgender news anchor, delivering the news on International Women’s Day - a symbolic moment for visibility and change.

 

Her journey has not stopped there. From gracing the runway at New York City Fashion Week to being elected as the first Bangladeshi member of the ILGA World board, Shishir continues to advocate for equality, breaking new ground with every step. Her work in the arts, media, and activism has positioned her as an inspiration not only in South Asia but around the world.

Interview with Ovileya Myrah

Monika: Today I have invited Ovileya Myrah, a happy Bangladeshi-born transgender woman from Greece who documents her transition on social media. Hello Ovileya!

Ovileya: Hello dear Monika, I am so happy to be interviewed by you and glad to share my experience with you and our readers.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Ovileya: I am Ovileya Myrah, 26 years old, I am from Bangladesh. I left Bangladesh in 2016 and decided to settle down in Greece in 2017. I am a transgender woman, so I had to leave Bangladesh because of my gender issue.

I was living in a society where it was very difficult to survive, and my family couldn’t help with it either. I suppose they didn’t have the education and, of course, the courage to support me. So I had a very difficult childhood, and eventually, I was forced to leave my country.