Dear Friend and Fellow Advocate,

My name is Sanjiboni Sudha, and I am deeply honored to stand before you as a candidate for the Transgender Steering Committee Chair position at ILGA World Board. I write to you today with a sincere heart, requesting for your support and your vote.  

As a transgender woman from Bangladesh, my journey has been shaped by both challenges and opportunities. From a young age, I faced intense discrimination, yet these experiences strengthened my resolve to fight for the dignity and rights of all LGBTIQ+ individuals. Today, I serve as the Executive Director of Inclusive Bangladesh, where I’ve worked tirelessly to amplify the voices of those who are often unheard.  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I led the burial services for over 1,200 victims—people who were rejected by society, even in death. This service showed me that compassion and action can change perceptions, even in hostile environments. Through campaigns like “Identity,” I have challenged harmful narratives in Bangladesh and worked to secure legal recognition and societal acceptance for transgender, intersex, and non-binary individuals.  

My decision to run for this position is rooted in a deep desire to continue this work on a global scale. Our community is facing tremendous hardships, especially in regions like South Asia, Africa, and Oceania. In these areas, we often find ourselves marginalized, fighting against rising intolerance and systemic injustice. My vision is to bridge the gap between global resources and grassroots needs—focusing on basic human rights like healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.  

If elected, I will bring over a decade of experience in human rights advocacy, gender issues, and interfaith peacebuilding to the ILGA World Board. My priority is to ensure that our community not only survives but thrives. I will focus on building policies that address our safety, visibility, and financial independence, alongside initiatives like the “Rangai Vubon” project, which helps members of our community build sustainable livelihoods.  Additionally, I believe in the power of partnerships. Drawing on my background in corporate social responsibility, I will work to forge meaningful collaborations between ILGA World and major human rights organizations, strengthening our global impact.  

This isn’t just a role for me—it’s a calling. As someone who has lived through the realities of marginalization, I understand the urgency of our cause. I am ready to dedicate myself fully to advocating for our rights and building a future where every transgender person can live with dignity, freedom, and equality.  

Today, I request for your vote, but more importantly, I request for your belief in our shared vision. Together, we can build a more just and inclusive world for all.  

With gratitude and hope,

Sanjiboni Sudha (she/her)
Candidate for Transgender Steering Committee Chair, ILGA World Board Election 2024, Cape Town, South Africa.