International Women's Day 2023: Celebrating Inspirational Trans Women Who Are Breaking Boundaries

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It was in 2014, that the apex court of India, Supreme Court recognised transgender people as a third gender in this country. According to the 2011 Indian Census, the total count of transgender people in India stands at 4.88 lakhs and still, the community remains isolated from society, suffocating in the shackles of shame. Even if some are fortunate to earn a life of respect and dignity, their problems still lurk somewhere in their lives.

Whether facing rejection from society or getting physically, emotionally and verbally abused or bullied just for being themselves, these trans women have seen everything and still didn't give up on their hopes and dreams and became an inspiration to many.

On International Women's Day 2023, we have listed 7 incredible transwomen who broke boundaries to fulfil their aspirations and have inspired many.

1. Aziya Naaz Joshi

Naaz Joshi is India's first transgender model and has won three 'Miss World Diversity' beauty pageants consecutively. In 2017, she became 'Miss United Nations Ambassador' and 'Miss Republic International Beauty Ambassador 2017'. She has two daughters who she adopted after their families abandoned them. She was sexually abused as a child and had to work at a roadside dhaba to support her education. Through a correspondence course, she had to complete her MBA education because she was denied admission to a regular course because of her gender. Today she is not just an International beauty queen but she is also a motivational speaker and trans rights activist. She believes that humanity is her religion.

2. Saisha Shinde

There is nothing more painful than realizing that you are trapped in the wrong body. It was in 2021, when Indian Fashion Designer, Swapnil Shinde came out as a trans woman and announced her transition to Saisha Shinde. Even though ge gets questioned about why the handsome man had to change himself, Shinde says, 'it needs courage to accept who you are from inside.' In the 2021 Miss Universe beauty pageant, he designed the gown for Harnaaz Sandhu in the grand finale. In an interview, he also mentioned that his family became his strength throughout his journey.

3. Anjali Ameer

Actress Anjali Ameer made headlines by becoming the first transwoman to lead a film in Indian cinema. A popular name in the Malayalam film industry, and played the lead opposite South superstar Mammootty in the Tamil film 'Peranbu.' She has also participated in the reality TV show 'Bigg Boss Malayalam' and also pursued her dreams as a model. In 2018, she got featured in 'Suvarna Purushan.

4. Manabi Bandhopadhyay

Manabi Bandhopadhyay became the first transgender woman to be appointed the Principal of Krishnagar Women's College in the Nadia district of West Bengal in 2015. In 1995, she published the first transgender magazine Ob-Manab, which when translated in the English language means 'Sub-human', mentions the Limca Book of Records. She was also the first transgender professor to complete a PhD in Bengali Literature.

5. Gauri Arora

Fitness Model and TV star Gauri Arora, formerly known as Gaurav Arora is a popular name in the entertainment industry. Known for his outspokenness and brazen nature, she is determined to make the LGBTQIA+ community more visible. She shot to fame by participating in a reality TV show 'Splitsvilla' and made headlines when she shared the news of opting for surgery to fully transition into a woman. Not only she has participated in 'India's Next Top model', but she has been part of many reality TV shows.

6. Nitasha Biswas

Nitasha Biswas won India's First Transgender Beauty Queen contest in 2017 when the world was too busy focussing on the #MeToo movements. But, after having a tiff with the event organisers, she resigned from her post in 2022. Nitasha hails from Kolkata and was born in Subanko. She moved to Delhi in order to pursue her career in the modelling industry. She believes that only through proper school education, the discrimination related LGBTQ community can end. She aspires to become a politician someday.

7. Sushant Divgikar

Sushant Divgikar, who now goes by the name of 'Rani KoHenur' is an Indian transgender model, actor, singer, motivational speaker, pageant director, columnist, psychologist, drag queen, and video jockey. Earlier they used to identify himself as gay but later he realised that he is gender fluid. In July 2014, they were crowned 'Mr Gay India2014' and have won numerous awards. With 'Bigg Boss 8' reality show as well. They etched history by winning golden buzzer, a reality singing show, as the first drag queen in India. They also participated in 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' in 2018.

8. Jiya Das

Jiya Das was born as Jishu Das in West Bengal and she is India's first transgender OT technician. She is a Sanskrit graduate and yet to support her family, she had to put on makeup and beg at the railway station every morning. She believes that financial independence is extremely important especially when one wants to live life on their own terms. Sympathy is not something that Jiya looks forward to, but love and acceptance from everyone around her.