- "In Pakistan, they are known as khawaja sira, the equivalent of transgender in the Urdu language."
A South Asian term for individuals who are born male but adopt a feminine identity, often through castration or surgery, and may have religious or cultural significance.
Third gender/Transgender Identities: Understanding the concept of third gender or transgender, which break away from the traditional binary gender norms of male and female.
Cultural context of Hijra: Insight into the hijra community's cultural, religious, and social contexts in South Asia.
History of Hijra: Tracing the origins of the hijra community and how their identity and social status have developed over time.
Legal status of Hijra: The legal and constitutional status of hijras in various countries and how it has evolved over the years.
Hijra language and terminology: A closer look at the language, terms, and lexicon used within the hijra community.
Rituals and Practices: The customs, rituals, and practices followed by the hijra community within their group and in broader society.
Gender and Sexuality: The relationship between gender, sexuality, and identity within the Hijra community.
Stigma and Discrimination: Understanding the social and institutional barriers hijras face in their daily lives, including discrimination, marginalization, and access to education and employment.
Activism and Resistance: Examining the role and impact of hijra activism and advocacy efforts in achieving greater rights and social acceptance.
Health and Wellbeing: Understanding the challenges that hijras face in accessing health care, including HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, and mental healthcare.
- "Hijras are officially recognised as a third gender throughout countries in the Indian subcontinent, being considered neither completely male nor female."
- "Hijras identity evolved during the Delhi Sultanate (1226-1526) and Mughal Empire (1526-1707)."
- "The word hijra is a Hindustani word. It has traditionally been translated into English as 'eunuch' or 'hermaphrodite', where 'the irregularity of the male genitalia is central to the definition'."
- "Many hijras today live in well-defined and organised all-hijra communities, led by a guru."
- "The hijra community in India prefer to call themselves 'kinnar', referring to the mythological beings that excel at song and dance."
- "Many work as sex workers."
- "Some hijras undergo an initiation rite into the hijra community called nirvaan, which involves the removal of the penis, scrotum, and testicles."
- "Nepal, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh have all legally accepted the existence of a third gender."
- "Hijras have successfully gained this recognition in Bangladesh and are eligible for priority in education and certain kinds of low paid jobs."
- "In India, the Supreme Court in April 2014 recognised hijras, transgender people, eunuchs, and intersex people as a 'third gender' in law."
- "In Pakistan, they are known as khawaja sira, the equivalent of transgender in the Urdu language."
- "Hijra are eunuchs, intersex people, or transgender people who live in communities that follow a kinship system known as the guru-chela system."
- "However, in general hijras have been born male, with only a few having been born with intersex variations."
- "It has traditionally been translated into English as 'eunuch' or 'hermaphrodite'."
- "Hijras identity evolved during the Delhi Sultanate (1226-1526) and Mughal Empire (1526-1707)."
- "Hijras have successfully gained this recognition in Bangladesh and are eligible for priority in education and certain kinds of low paid jobs."
- "Nepal, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh."
- "The hijra community in India prefer to call themselves 'kinnar', referring to the mythological beings that excel at song and dance."
- "Many work as sex workers."