SANJIBONI SUDHA

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Sanjiboni Sudha (she/her) is a transgender woman, human rights advocate, peacebuilder, and development professional with extensive experience in LGBTIQ+ rights, community leadership, social inclusion, and equality advocacy.

Sanjiboni holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Political Science from the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. She later enrolled in an M.Phil programme at the University of Dhaka, becoming the first transgender woman in Bangladesh to undertake an M.Phil programme at the university. Her continuing professional development includes a fellowship with Equitas – International Centre for Human Rights Education and participation in human rights training through the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard Kennedy School.

Her human rights work is grounded in both professional experience and lived experience. Having encountered discrimination and social exclusion as a transgender woman, Sanjiboni has dedicated much of her work to challenging stigma, strengthening community participation, and advancing the dignity and rights of transgender, hijra, and wider LGBTIQ+ communities in Bangladesh.

She has held senior leadership responsibilities with Inclusive Bangladesh and has served as a core team member of Dhaka Pride, contributing to community mobilisation, human rights advocacy, public education, and initiatives aimed at strengthening the visibility and meaningful participation of LGBTIQ+ people. Her advocacy has also extended to international platforms. Sanjiboni was a candidate for Chair of the Transgender Steering Committee of the ILGA World Board during the 2024 ILGA World Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, reflecting her engagement with global movements for transgender representation and leadership.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanjiboni undertook humanitarian volunteer work supporting the dignified burial of people who died from COVID-19 in Bangladesh, including in Dhaka and Chittagong. Her contributions to peace, volunteerism, and social development were recognised with First Prize in the Inspiring Transgender and Hijra Volunteer Award 2021.

Alongside her advocacy, Sanjiboni has professional experience in the banking sector, bringing valuable organisational, administrative, and leadership experience to her human rights work. She is also an artist with a deep passion for using creative expression as a form of advocacy, particularly through dance. Through her artistic practice, Sanjiboni explores identity, dignity, inclusion, and social change, using art as a powerful medium to challenge stigma, amplify marginalised voices, and foster greater understanding of LGBTIQ+ experiences.

As the Chair & Executive Director of the Global Centre for Rights, Sanjiboni provides strategic leadership across the organisation’s human rights, equality, peacebuilding, and social justice initiatives. She is particularly committed to ensuring that people and communities directly affected by discrimination are not simply represented in human rights spaces, but are empowered to participate meaningfully in decision-making and lead efforts for lasting social change.