A Biography of Tashnuva Anan

I am Tashnuva Anan a 30-year-old Bangladeshi transgender activist and theatre worker. I am the first transgender news anchor in Bangladesh. I am from Mongla, Bagerhat and currently staying at Jatrabari working as a Case Management Officer at Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP). My father’s name is Md. Samsul Hoque and my mother’s name is Jamiron Begum. Growing up as a member of a gender minority community, especially as a trans woman, life was not always so favorable for me. But I was determined and ambitious about my life goals and was ready to face any sort of struggles to uphold the stigmatized trans community in our country. This is why I was always attentive to my work and studies. I have done my SSC from T.A. Faruque High School and HSC from Govt. Tolaram College, Narayanganj. I have graduated from National University with a 1st class in B.S.S and 2nd class in M.S.S (Social Work).

Throughout my life, I have always been passionate about performing in theatre, dancing and social work.I have always believed that community impact is the way to spread a message to the broader community - I had been leading Bondhu Social Welfare Organization in Bangladesh, which has been one of the Pioneer Organizations for recognizing 1 million Transgenders in Bangladesh. Here, I was psychosocial & psychosexual Counselor for transgender people. Partner counselling & celebrating various days for the build-up consciousness for my community was the part of my job description.

Dancing is my passion since childhood. Kathak , Semi classic and Folk have been my cup of tea . I won National Award in Children Festival 2003. I was a dance teacher at Shuktara Shilpogoshti , “SEEP” (NGO) and was a director & workshop trainer of Street Children Theatre . Also performed in several tv channel and stage on several occasions eg: Pohela Baishakh, 26 march,21 February, 16 December, Pohela Falgun, Pohela Ashar, Bosonto Boron, Borsha Boron etc.

I am also a Freelance Costume Designer. I Designed costumes for Stage Drama “Ekjon Laxmindor” for Natua theatre “Doghdo” for Natua theatre Direction Biplab adtiya 2009 & “Bou” for Natua Direction paritosh saha 2010. ‘’Morter Oroshik for Bongolok Director Shamim Showkot Lovely. Mohabidda for kishakahini direction of Enam Tara Saki. Ekjon Laxmindor Direction Parvej Shorif. Shibani Shundori for Mohakal Natto Shomproday.

I have been a performer of stage drama for the last 23 year and currently working with BotTola and my major performed dramas are Dhogdho, Juddho o Shadhinota, Rokto Korobi, Ekjon Loxmindor, Birth Fantasy, Morter Oroshik, Target Platun, Tamoshik, Nononpurr Melay Ekjon Komla Sundori o Ekti Bagh Ase, Khona etc.

I have significant experience from the leading Training organizations in Bangladesh and Nepal, including BYLC, Advocacy Policy Influencing (API), SANGAT International Training from Nepal. Furthermore, as a Representative of a Marginalized Society in Bangladesh, I have been working with Social work, and I have professionally pursued the topic as my Masters Degree Topic in Bangladesh.

Now I am working as a volunteer with Sangat. We have a theatre group. In this group we are performing various concept based Human rights shows. As a volunteer some main responsibilities I have participated in a yearlong course to deepen understanding on Human Rights and Social Justice.

Before Joining Bandhu Social Welfare Society I worked as an Executive Officer in National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh (Six Month). My Basic responsibility was to take the complaints against violence of transgender people. I also tried to make a collaboration with govt. Officers in different level for create job access for transgender people. We also did various Local, National &International level advocacy by National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh (NHRCB). I also worked in another community based National Organization named Rethink as a research assistant. The organization is doing research for development and to change the life style of transgender people of Bangladesh. Besides, I worked in ICDDR, B as a field research assistant. The subject of research was injecting Drug User (GSM), FSW (Female sex Workers) MSW (Male Sex Workers) & Transgender.

I also worked in SEEP (Social Economic Enhancement Program) education based organisation.as a cultural facilitator. The program focused on child rights base. I was the only one transgender staff in that Organisation. I was a Counselor in Apon Rehabilitation Center in Manikgonj. The fundamental responsibilities were to give mental support to child especially who are in adolescence. I was making so many kinds of play that was for their mental refreshment. I was motivated them to keep a balance distance from drug by theatrical game.

I was a Motivational Speaker at BYLC youth Carnival in December 28, 2019 and in National Youth Assembly in February 27, 2020 organized by Jaago Foundation. I was a guest in several tv and radio show for example, Power Women FM 101.6 and in numerous webinars conducted from various Organisations e.g Her Net, Trans End, Revival etc.

During Covid-19 Pandemic I worked as a frontline volunteer relief worker in Gift for Good and various organizations. I tried to ensure poor people from my community don’t starve during this lock down. My relief work got featured in various news portals for example, Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, Uddogta Barta, Ekushey TV, Joyjatra Television, khola Kagoj, Independent News 24, DBC News etc.

I am also a Content Writer. I wrote several times in a online based newspaper Nari . I am the only trans woman who wrote about the #MeToo movement in our country because I felt it’s important to raise your voice to ensure a safe working environment for the transgender women in Bangladesh.

In conclusion, I believe in a gender equal society free from any sort of discrimination and I aspire to establish it through my work, performance and discussion.