In a proud moment, 29-year-old Tashnuva Anan Shishir has made history in Bangladesh by becoming the country’s first transgender news anchor.
On International Women’s Day (March 8), Ms. Shishir presented the afternoon news bulletin for Boishakhi News saying on air,
“This could be revolutionary and create a new dimension in people’s thinking.”
As per BBC News reports, Ms. Shishir faced a lot of challenges from a very young age. Ms. Shishir realized in her early teens that she was transgender but says she has faced “mental torture” as well as sexual harassment and bullying. She further shared how she felt ashamed that society harassed her family too. Because of which her father stopped speaking to her and she left home.
A private news channel has appointed Bangladesh’s first transgender news presenter.#TashnuvaAnanShishir will start presenting news for Boishakhi TV from the #InternationalWomensDay on March 8. pic.twitter.com/Iu9dhU1WXB
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) March 6, 2021
After fleeing her hometown, she lived alone in the capital Dhaka and in Narayanganj. Determined to study, she went on to gain a master’s in public health in Dhaka.
“I never left school. My sixth sense always told me to keep studying. If I continue reading, I will be able to go somewhere. I continued my studies despite enduring hundreds of insults day after day. All I had in mind is that I should continue my study.”
Ms. Shishir approached a number of TV stations to ask for work, but said that only private station Boishakhi was “brave enough to take me in”.
Speaking of her debut bulletin she said,
“I tried to think of stage dramas I have performed in and follow techniques I have learned there. But I was shaking inside.”
As per sources, after she went off the air, she got emotional and broke down.
VIDEO: Bangladesh’s first transgender news presenter breaks down in tears after her word-perfect debut was beamed to the nation and the cameras were off. Tashnuva Anan Shishir, delivered the three-minute news bulletin on Boishakhi TV pic.twitter.com/xUlfg3JWBE
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 9, 2021
“There are thousands of ‘Shishir’ waiting for an opportunity to shine. I hope that this will make their journey easier.”
At IFORHER, we are in awe of Ms. Shishir’s courage and hope her story will inspire many to fight against society’s regressive mindset to create a life of their dreams.
