Nayyab Ali is a prominent transgender rights expert, gender and development specialist, and capacity development trainer with an extensive career in advocacy, policymaking, and institutional development. She has emerged as a powerful voice in Pakistan and beyond, dedicated to advancing the rights of the transgender community and fighting for gender equality. With a rich blend of professional experience in social research, policy analysis, and advocacy, Nayyab has left an indelible mark on numerous sectors, from government institutions to civil society organizations and international agencies.

Throughout her career, Nayyab has developed a deep expertise in institutional capacity building and funding management, playing an instrumental role in shaping the national conversation on transgender rights in Pakistan. Her work has taken her to various United Nations agencies, including UNDP, UNFPA, and UN Women, where she has contributed to critical initiatives focused on gender equality and minority inclusion. She has worked closely with government agencies to draft and implement legal frameworks that protect the rights of transgender persons, including the landmark Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018. Nayyab’s advocacy efforts have also extended to provincial governments, where she has shaped policies such as the Punjab Transgender Protection Bill 2020 and the Transgender Welfare Endowment Bill KP.

In addition to her policy expertise, Nayyab has successfully navigated the complex landscape of funding management. She has demonstrated exceptional skills in securing, managing, and utilizing funds for impactful advocacy and development projects. Her ability to oversee large-scale initiatives and ensure that financial resources are effectively used has earned her recognition as a funding and advocacy expert. As the Executive Director of Transgender Rights Consultants Pakistan (TRCP), Nayyab has overseen numerous projects that focus on economic empowerment, legal reform, and gender sensitization. TRCP’s “Trans Inclusive City” campaign is a prime example of her leadership, a two-year initiative that has fostered collaboration between public and private sectors to promote transgender inclusion in Pakistan. Under her guidance, this campaign has achieved milestones such as the appointment of the first trans police officer and the first transgender expert in the Ministry of Human Rights.

Nayyab’s contributions to her community are not limited to the legal sphere. She founded the first school for transgender individuals in Okara, providing educational opportunities for over 100 transgender persons. This initiative reflects her commitment to fostering self-reliance and empowerment within the transgender community. She has also played a key role in establishing the Khawaja Sira Quran School and Shelter Home in Islamabad, an institution that combines faith-based learning with essential support services for marginalized transgender individuals.

Despite facing personal tragedies, including surviving an acid attack, Nayyab has continued to push forward, advocating for the rights of her community on both national and international platforms. Her advocacy has garnered widespread recognition, and she is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the International Franco-German Prize for Human Rights & Rule of Law and the International HERO Asia Award. She has been featured among the top activists globally by the United Nations and has been nominated for the U.S. State Department’s International Women of Courage Award.

In addition to her hands-on activism, Nayyab has also contributed significantly to academic and policy research. Her publications include critical studies on the socio-economic needs of the transgender community, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. These studies, commissioned by UNDP and the Ministry of Human Rights, were instrumental in shaping the government’s relief efforts for the transgender population during the crisis. Furthermore, she has developed guidebooks for police and healthcare providers on transgender sensitization, laying the groundwork for more inclusive and understanding interactions between these institutions and the transgender community.

Her work in building the capacities of law enforcement agencies, judiciary members, and religious scholars on gender and transgender rights has been equally impactful. Nayyab has trained over 160 judges, 500 police officers, and hundreds of lawyers, educators, and religious scholars on child rights, gender justice, and the protection of transgender individuals. This extensive outreach has helped change attitudes and behaviors toward transgender persons, reducing instances of violence and discrimination in key institutions.

Nayyab’s role as the National Coordinator of the All-Pakistan Transgender Election Network further highlights her commitment to political empowerment. In 2018, she became the first transgender person to contest in Pakistan’s general elections, running for the National Assembly seat from NA-142 Okara. Her candidacy marked a historic moment in the political visibility of the transgender community in Pakistan, and she continues to advocate for increased political participation for her community.

Nayyab Ali’s career is a testament to her tireless dedication, strategic thinking, and exceptional skills in both advocacy and funding management. She has played a pioneering role in advancing transgender rights in Pakistan and has been a trailblazer on the international stage. Her ability to navigate complex policy environments, secure resources, and build institutional capacity has transformed the lives of countless transgender individuals, making her one of the most influential transgender activists in the world today.