EUVP Alumni Success Story – Ms Aisha Mugal

We are delighted to share the remarkable achievements of Ms. Aisha Mughal, a transgender rights activist and researcher from Pakistan, and an esteemed alumna of the EUVP, who has been making significant strides in her academic and activist journey. In 2020, Aisha became the world's first transgender woman to represent her government as part of the official state delegation at the UN (CEDAW Committee) in Geneva, Switzerland. It marked the very first time in history that a transgender person represented any country for a reporting procedure of an official UN treaty review. 

Additionally, Aisha has served as a focal person for transgender rights at the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) of the Government of Pakistan and is a co-founder of the Trans-led organization 'Wajood Society' in Islamabad. She has also collaborated with several governments and international organizations as an expert consultant.

Nevertheless, Aisha faced significant challenges last year due to the anti-trans movement and personal attacks. Yet, she navigated through this adversity with remarkable resilience, utilising this difficult time to focus on her academic pursuits. And it is with great pride that the EUVP announces the fruitful outcome of Aisha's unwavering determination, as she recently secured a Ph.D. position at the University of York on a fully funded department scholarship after a highly competitive application process.

In addition to her academic accomplishments, the EUVP is also delighted to share that Aisha was nominated for the prestigious APCOMS Hero Awards 2023 by community activists in the Asia Pacific Region. On November 24th, Aisha received the Community Hero Award for her dedication to transgender rights, advocacy and her significant role in the field. The award ceremony, hosted by the German embassy in Thailand, brought together diplomats and community activists from 15 countries across the region. For more details on the APCOMS Hero Awards 2023 and Aisha's remarkable achievement, you can visit the following link: APCOMS Hero Awards 2023

Ultimately, Aisha's journey exemplifies the resilience and impact that our EUVP alumni can have on a global scale. We are immensely proud of her accomplishments and look forward to witnessing her continued success.