National Transgender Employment Mela: The Transgender Employment Mela, our flagship initiative for generating transgender enployment, saw its second edition held on 22nd March 2024 at Welcome by ITC Hotels , Dwarka, New Delhi. The Mela, this year, highlighted the talent pool that exists within the transgender community and offered an opportunity for the community to get exposed to major corporations and organizations. This year, the Mela surpassed last year’s records in all categories; a total of 500+ applications were received from candidates, 300 resumes were shared with companies, 200+ candidates came for the Mela, 40+ corporates came and interacted with the candidates, 150 candidates went through the interview and 56 candidates were offered job offers thorough our recruitment drive which started from 8th February 2024. In terms of the candidate’s profile, 43% were graduates, 27% were post graduates, and 39% of the candidates had 5-9 years of work experience. The Trans Employment Mela, showcased a comprehensive agenda aimed at empowering transgender individuals in the workforce.
Transforming Pain to Transpower - TWEET Foundation organized a stakeholder consultation to observe International Transgender Visibility Day on 13th April 2023 at Hotel Lalit. The event was jointly organized by TWEET Foundation along with RWS and Keshav Suri Foundation (KSF). The theme of the event was 'Transforming Pain to Trans Power!' which focused on capturing the 'winning stories of the transgender people affected by the various forms of gender based violence'. The broader objective of the event was to give aspirations and encouragement to transgender community members to deal with GBV effectively, through peer learning process. In the past decade, India has taken significant strides towards advancing the rights and socio-economic inclusion of transgender persons. In 2014, India’s Supreme Court passed the landmark NALSA judgement, which recognized the right to self affirmation of gender identity of transgender persons. Following this, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act came into effect in 2019 (and subsequent Rules in 2020) that articulated the rights of transgender people in several sectors (e.g., education, health, workplace) and what can be done to improve welfare of transgender persons. Almost all policy areas have a direct or indirect effect on transgender people’s lives. It is suggested to make provisions for empowerment which are evidence-based and community-informed for designing and strengthening social welfare schemes and health programmes for transgender people in India. Government should develop a policy level document which explicitly articulates transgender-specific schemes and programmes that can be implemented by various ministries and departments and should suggest how the existing schemes and programmes can be inclusive of transgender people.
Transpire - The Transpire Together Partner Engagement Dinner held on the 21st of July at The LaLit, Mumbai, brought together around 50 key stakeholders, leading transgender activists, and community members to rally support for a brighter future for trans inclusion and to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments achieved over the past year.the core was the commitment to strengthen the work for the transgender community in India. Through meaningful discussions and engagement, the event sought to enhance ongoing efforts towards advancing the rights and empowerment of transgender individuals. The event aimed to synergize efforts, rallying diverse stakeholders under a common banner, and fostering a collaborative spirit that would propel the rights and empowerment of transgender individuals to new heights. This event was a testament to the fact that progress is possible when people come together, driven by a shared vision of justice, equality, and a better future for all.Highlight of the evening was the presentation of impact stories that showcased the tangible difference made through collaborative projects. Program alumni shared their personal journeys, illustrating the positive impact and highlighting the transformative potential of continued support. They spoke of hurdles overcome, barriers shattered, and dreams rekindled. Their stories resonated with hope, resilience, and a sense of empowerment that radiated throughout the room. The event served as a pivotal moment for soliciting further support from funders and well-wishers who were encouraged to contribute actively knowing that their support would have a lasting impact on the lives of transgender individuals. With strengthened partnerships, they were inspired to drive positive change, and foster inclusivity
The Transmasculine Persons Health & Rights Advocacy - The event highlighted critical aspects: TWEET Foundation presented unprecedented, authentic data on the health and well-being of transmasculine individuals for the first time, addressing a significant gap in knowledge. Stakeholders reaffirmed their dedication to supporting the community. Key figures like Mr. Abhimanyu from UNDP India, Dr. David Bridger, UNAIDS and Shri Rajesh Makkar Deputy Secretary from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reiterated their commitment to fostering more inclusive programs for the transmasculine community. Healthcare experts and community leaders shared invaluable experiences, enriching the discourse. Engagement with mental health professionals was a crucial component, acknowledging and addressing the mental well-being nuances within the community. The discussions charted a clear path forward, emphasizing actionable steps to further support and advance the health and rights of transmasculine individuals. As many of the firsts that are yet to come for the transmasculine community in India, this event has been a milestone and has set the ball rolling for further policy action and redefining healthcare to include the trans masculine community needs The report launch for 'Our Health Matters' marked a significant milestone in our collective pursuit of understanding and improving the health and rights for transmasculine individuals in India. The report, enabled by culmination of rigorous research and collaboration efforts, sheds light on a critical aspect of healthcare that has long been overlooked. The launch garnered support and affirmation from esteemed figures such as Abhimanyu Saxena, the Team Leader for Health System Strengthening at UNDP India, Dr. David Brdiger, UNAIDS Country Head & Shri Rajesh Makkar, Deputy Secretary from Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) The audience included key representatives from organizations working significantly to improve the health and well-being of trans and more than 50 trans masculine leaders from various parts of India. The study will play an important role to further inform the work of all the folks working towards the movement. It also aims to inform policy design, serving as a vital tool to facilitate comprehensive state and national action plans. The report encapsulated our commitment to leaving no one behind, and a step further to creating an equitable healthcare landscape for all individuals, regardless of gender identity.
Our mission is to empower the transgender community in India, enabling them to become self-sufficient. We aspire to achieve this through a comprehensive