Sahodari Foundation is an Indian organisation which is a pioneer in socially and economically empowering underprivileged transgender women.[1] The organisation was founded by transgender activist and artist Kalki Subramaniam in July 2008 to provide opportunities for education support, scholarships for under privileged transgender students, encouraging entrepreneurship and providing livelihood opportunities through creative skills training and development.[2] The organisation is based in Tamil Nadu state in India. The organisation uses art, literature, films and theatre to advocate for social, economic, and political justice for transgender people and gender-nonconforming people.[3][4]
Origin
During her postgraduate studies, Kalki started publishing a monthly magazine in Tamil for transgender women called Sahodari. At that time prejudice against the transgender people was high because media projected only stereotyped images of transgender people. She wanted to break it and bring forth the real issues and problems of the transgender community. In her magazine, she wrote on health, wellness, spirituality, employment and education.[5]
The Red Wall Project
The Red Wall Project, spearheaded by the Sahodari Foundation under the leadership of transgender rights activist Kalki Subramaniam, is a pivotal initiative aimed at empowering marginalized women, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals in India. This project provides a crucial platform for participants to articulate their experiences of sexual abuse and assault.[6]
Testimonials written by Transgender women for the Red Wall Project
Participants document their narratives of rejection, violence, and abuse on handmade paper, symbolically imprinting their red-painted palm as a testament to their stories. These powerful testimonials are showcased in public galleries, educational institutions, and universities to foster awareness and promote empathy and understanding within the community.[7]
The Red Wall Project not only underscores the challenges faced by transgender individuals but also advocates for justice and societal transformation by bringing these critical stories to the forefront.[8]
Awards
In 2010, Sahodari Foundation received the Kokilavani Memorial Award for its contribution towards transgender rights and activism. The foundation trained transgender people as community video journalists and encouraged them to speak up their stories on visual media through a project called Project Kalki. Many transgender women brought out their voices through video films and the organisation showcased those films in YouTube, blogs and other websites and also screened the films across the country. For this innovative effort, the organisation received an international award for innovation in activism using technology and internet.[9]
