37-year-old LGBT rights activist has become the first person in Nepal to be issued a passport with the gender category ‘O’ for ‘other.’

Monica Shahi received her passport from Rewati Poudel, director at the Department of Passports, on Monday.

“Today is an important day in my life and I hope the younger generation is encouraged by the move,” Shahi told First Post.

Activists hailed this as a milestone for the LGBT community in Nepal and the rest of Asia. It is claimed to bite the first case in Asia where the third gender has been given.

Australia and New Zealand both issue passports with the option of ‘x’ for people who do not identify as male or female.