Once locked up in an all-male prison for cross-dressing, Nisha Ayub has now been recognised internationally for her unwavering LGBT activism as a recipient of the International Women of Courage Award by United States’ Department of States.
Nisha, the co-founder of two transgender rights NGOs — the SEED Foundation and Justice for Sisters — is also the first transwoman to win the annual award, which is now in its 10th year.
US Secretary of State John Kerry praised Nisha for her work in promoting “societies that are more just, fair, and tolerant regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.”
“We honour you as a woman of courage,” Kerry said, as he presented the award to her in Washington DC yesterday.
“Nisha Ayub has been the target of discrimination and violence in Malaysia for many years, even being imprisoned for three months during which she endured sexual abuse and humiliation.”
“Despite the obstacles, Nisha has dedicated her life to protecting the transgender community through her work with the NGO SEED. She supports sex workers and people living with HIV,” Kerry said.
Nisha was arrested at the age of 21 for dressing as a woman and later jailed at the men’s lock up of the Kajang prison for three months.
““My hopes for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community in Malaysia is basically for the government to recognise and to accept and to acknowledge that we are a part of society,” Nisha told the Malay Mail Online’s Boo Su-Lyn.
“And at the same time, I hope that we will be protected, just as equal as other citizens. As a transgender woman, the only thing we ask for is our right to education, our right to employment, our right to every single thing that is for all citizens,” she was quoted as saying.
Tahniah, Nisha Ayub!
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