Speaker: Nayyab
Job title: Executive Director
Company: Transgender Rights Consultants Pakistan

About the spreaker
Nayyab Ali is a globally celebrated human rights defender, gender policy strategist, published author and researcher, social scientist, and a leading voice for transgender inclusion from Pakistan, with 12 years of experience. She is currently working as Global LGBTI+ Human Rights Fellow at Harvard University. She has advised various ministries of the Government of Pakistan on inclusive policies and frameworks. Currently, she serves as the Incharge of the Transgender Protection Unit and Additional Incharge of the Gender Protection Unit at Islamabad Police, where she has pioneered transformative policing models to address gender-based violence and protect marginalised communities, particularly in a Muslim-majority country. Nayyab is the first legally recognized transgender woman to contest elections for Pakistan’s highest Legislative assembly and become the first Muslim woman to do so. Nayyab Ali is a US Department of State Alumni, has participated in the International Visitor Leadership Programme. Nayyab played a pivotal role in drafting Pakistan’s landmark Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018, one of the most progressive transgender rights laws in the Muslim world. Her legal and policy expertise has positioned Pakistan as a regional model for gender-inclusive legislation and rights-based governance. With over a decade of experience, she has designed and led numerous groundbreaking initiatives, including the Trans Inclusive City campaign, Tahaffuz Markaz (protection centers for transgender individuals), and dedicated police units. She developed SOPs and training frameworks that have catalyzed systemic change across law enforcement agencies. As Executive Director of Transgender Rights Consultants Pakistan and a key member of the Commonwealth Equality Network, she champions social inclusion on a global scale. Recognized with seven international honors including the Franco-German Human Rights Prize, the GALAS International Activist Award, and the WIN DRR Award for Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction. Nayyab has served as Transgender Inclusion Advisor to UNDP Pakistan. She has represented Pakistan at high-level global events including CHOGM and CEDAW reviews, and is a featured speaker at international conferences. She has developed numerous legislative drafts and national strategic frameworks, conducted scientific research, and served as an independent expert and consultant for various governmental bodies, international organizations, and UN agencies. Nayyab continues to be a strategic force in shaping global social justice and inclusive policy discourse.