The founder of Sahodari Foundation, Kalki Subramaniam is an artist, activist, actor and a writer who is also a transgender woman.
Kalki found the Sahodari Foundation in 2008 to establish social justice and recognise transgender people’s rights in India. For more than a decade she has worked intensively and achieved milestones for the rights of the community. Her contribution to the verdict and recognition of transgender identity by the Supreme court of India in 2014 is immense and noteworthy.
Voicing for the Transgender and Gender non-binary community
About Us
Sahodari Foundation
Sahodari Foundation is India’s pioneer organization that has been working intensely for the transgender and gender diverse community of people since 2007.
The organization is created milestone victories when it comes to transgender inclusion at all levels of the society. Sahodari was founded by transgender rights activist, artist and writer Kalki Subramaniam (www.kalkisubramaniam.com)
Registered as an organisation in 2008, and having the 80G and 12A certificates, the organizarion has completed 18 years and have been very active in transforming transgender people’s lives through several successful projects.
Currently we focus on providing opportunities of life skills, education, entrepreneurship, livelihood opportunities, workplace inclusion and art practice. We are one of the first organization in India voicing for transgender persons inclusion in climate change policies.
Sahodari Foundation has won several awards for its innovative approach to the upliftment of the transgender community.
Recognization
In 2014, the Supreme court of India legally recognized the transgender community, Kalki Subramaniam – the founder of the organization was one of the strong activists behind the lobby for recognition.
The organisation has received many awards for its contributions. Sahodari welcomes funders to support our project initiatives. Your support for our different projects can transform the underprivileged trans community for a hopeful future by empowering them.
We believe in bringing a visionary and positive change to the community. Our every step, every project is taken with that mission in maximizing benefits of the transgender community.
Our Objectives
What we do ?
Promoting Education:
We provide educational support and scholarships to transgender students, aiming to break the cycle of school dropouts and create pathways for better job opportunities.
We have distributed laptops to transgender women to aid their education and work prospects.
We run a Transgender Youth Mentorship Program to inspire, motivate, and guide young transgender individuals towards a dignified and fulfilling life, away from begging and sex work.Enabling Livelihood:
The foundation offers skill development and training to enable transgender persons to pursue a decent livelihood. We offer creative skills training and development to enhance employability.
We run a “Trans Entrepreneur Project” to specifically support transgender individuals in starting their own ventures.Promoting Inclusion and Raising Awareness:
Sahodari Foundation uses art, literature, films, and theatre as powerful mediums to advocate for social, economic, and political justice for transgender and gender-nonconforming people.
Our “Red Wall Project” provides a platform for transgender individuals to share their experiences of rejection, violence, and abuse, raising awareness and promoting empathy. These narratives are displayed publicly to foster understanding, empathy and acceptance.We actively organize and participate in Pride events to celebrate and advocate for the rights of the LGBTQI+ community.
Advocacy and Rights:
Sahodari Foundation actively campaigns against stigma and discrimination faced by transgender and intersex people.
We work alongside legal groups and other organizations for the civil rights of transgender individuals in India.
Our founder, Kalki Subramaniam, played a significant role in the 2014 Supreme Court of India verdict that legally recognized the transgender identity.In essence, the Sahodari Foundation takes a multi-pronged approach, focusing on education, economic empowerment, social inclusion, and advocacy to uplift transgender persons and ensure they lead lives with dignity and respect in Indian society.