Hochemin Islam
Hochemin Islam | |
|---|---|
হোচিমিন ইসলাম | |
| Born | |
| Alma mater | University of Rajshahi |
| Occupations | Nurse Human rights activist |
| Organization | Krishnachura |
| Known for | Advocacy for transgender people in Bangladesh |
Hochemin Islam (Bengali: হোচিমিন ইসলাম), also spelled Ho Chi Minh Islam, is a Bangladeshi human rights activist and nurse. She is known for her advocacy for transgender people in Bangladesh, particularly those living in rural areas.
Early life and education
Islam was born and raised in Bogra, a city in Rajshahi Division.[1] She was named after Ho Chi Minh, a Vietnamese revolutionary, by her father, who stated he was inspired by Ho's "rebellious spirit".[2]
Islam studied nursing at Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Sangha Medical College in Bogra, as well as at the University of Rajshahi.[1][3] As of 2022, she was studying for a master's degree in public health at BRAC University in Dhaka.[1]
Nursing career
After graduating, Islam briefly worked at Chhagalnaiya Upazila Health Complex in Feni, Chittagong Division, before moving to Dhaka, where she became the first openly transgender woman to work at Square Hospital. During her time there, Islam helped treat the first person in Bangladesh diagnosed with coronavirus, later contracting the disease herself.[1][3][4]
As of 2024, Islam works at the National Institute of Neurosciences Hospital in Dhaka.[4]
Activism
In 2014, Islam joined VOICE Bangladesh, a rights-based research and advocacy organisation, during which time she came to identify as a transgender woman.[2] She went on to establish her own community-based organisation, Krishnachura, which aimed to provide safe spaces for discussion and exploration of gender and gender minorities in rural areas of Bangladesh. Islam has also worked as a development officer and goodwill ambassador for transgender rights at No Passport Voice, and as the Bangladesh lead for the South Asian Youth and Queer Activists Network.[1]
Islam has stated her belief that there is a distinction between being transgender and being a hijra, describing hijra as a "culture" and not a gender, and called for transgender, or a third gender, to be legally recognised on official documents, alongside or in addition to hijras.[3] Islam supported calls by other transgender activists for the Bangladeshi parliament to have two reserved seats for transgender women, separate to seats for cisgender women or hijras.[4]
In November 2023, Islam was prevented from speaking at a women's career carnival at North South University about inclusivity, after security concerns were raised after a group of students threatened to boycott exams and cause unrest if she was in included in the line-up. Some students participated in rallies in which signs reading "no transgender" were erected, stating her appearance was illegal under chapter 6, article 377 of the Bangladeshi penal code.[5][6][7][8][9][10] The human rights organisation Justice Makers Bangladesh in France subsequently protested the cancellation of Islam's appearance.[9] The Chhatra Union accused North South University of violating its charter to provide an inclusive educational environment by barring Islam from speaking.[5]
Recognition
Islam was a fellow of the Acumen Academy in 2022 in recognition of her work for social change in Bangladesh.[11]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Ho Chi Minh Islam". Acumen Academy. 2022. Archived from the original on 29 April 2025. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ a b Anika, Ayman (25 November 2023). "Beyond gender norms: Nurse Hochemin Islam's stand for transgender equality". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 8 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ a b c Rahman, Sadia (6 September 2020). "Hochemin Islam: The story of a transgender nurse". The Business Standard. Archived from the original on 19 January 2025. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ a b c Antara, Nawaz Farhin (4 January 2024). "'Transgender community should get its own reserved seats in parliament'". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 16 March 2025. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ a b "NSU still silent after barring transgender activist Hochemin Islam from speaking at uni event". The Business Standard. 26 November 2023. Archived from the original on 7 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ "নর্থ সাউথের অনুষ্ঠানে যোগ দিতে পারেননি ট্রান্সজেন্ডার হোচিমিন". The Daily Campus (in Bengali). 25 November 2023. Archived from the original on 27 November 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ Islam, Odisha (25 November 2023). "আবারও আলোচনায় নর্থ সাউথ, অনুষ্ঠানে যেতে পারলেন না ট্রান্স নারী হোচিমিন". Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ "হোচিমিনকে কথা বলতে না দেয়ায় তীব্র প্রতিক্রিয়া". Ekattor TV (in Bengali). 25 November 2023. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ a b Stewart, Colin (8 December 2023). "Anti-trans protest leads to cancellation of Bangladesh speech". Erasing 76 Crimes. Archived from the original on 5 October 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ Wadud, Psymhe (4 December 2023). "One Hochemin Islam, our constitution, and 'cisterhood'". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 8 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ^ "22 changemakers selected for Acumen Fellowship Program in Bangladesh". Dhaka Tribune. 11 December 2021. Archived from the original on 15 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.