Garima - United Way India

Garima

Garima

The Hindi word “Garima” refers to “dignity” or “respect.”

Project Garima: Financial Empowerment & Skilling of Special Population groups including LGBTQIA+, People with Disability, People living with HIV/AIDS to lead a dignified life and promoting gender diversity and inclusion

An Overview

Garima, as the name suggests, aims to provide a dignified and respectable living for people from the transgender community, differently abled persons and people living with HIV AIDS. The project will enhance employability and support financial independence through skill building amongst the cohorts. Garima will address United Way India’s long term goal of promoting Diversity, Inclusion and Equity that leads the way for building equitable communities in India.

THE NEED

Diverse population groups such as transgender persons, differently abled persons and people living with HIV AIDS are often the most vulnerable. Transgender persons are welcome at auspicious events, however, they are otherwise severely ostracized and marginalized. Whereas differently abled persons and PLHIVs are often excluded from social and professional participation. 

Lack of skills training opportunities for transgender persons, differently abled persons and people living with HIV AIDS is a major concern as it denies them economically of gainful opportunities. Further, social prejudices and financial constraints make it difficult for them to access vocational training facilities. 

Rate of literacy among transgender persons, differently abled persons and PLHIV is way below than the national average. Thus, leading to the community lacking appropriate professional skills to earn a living. 

Social prejudices, low literacy rates and even lower employment rates pushed the People from the transgender community, differently abled persons and People Living with HIV to work on a daily wage-basis for subsistence. They never get the opportunity to explore other opportunities beyond the existing one due to lack of appropriate education and support.

THE Benefits

  • Inclusion of the most marginalized groups 
  • Sensitization among the mainstream populations about diversity, inclusion and facilitating participation in social and professional capacity 
  • Promoting skill training that leads to economic contribution of the country and develops self-reliance among the beneficiaries

The Intervention

The aim of the program is providing the people from the transgender community, differently abled persons and people living with HIV with capability building skill training to enable access to gainful economic opportunities, translating into sustainable livelihood options.

The programme would bridge this gap through direct promotion and training for market-ready vocational skills, career development and will reach the economically weaker section of communities with appropriate mobilization and capacity building.

Beneficiaries Profile

Special Population groups including LGBTQIA+, People with Disability, People living with HIV/AIDS

Impact Till Date

  • 1430+ 1600+ from LGBTQI+ beneficiaries supported to create livelihood potential and opportunities 
  • 288 differently abled persons were supported to enable access to livelihood opportunities and health care support 
  • 6247 persons living with HIV were provided holistic health and hygiene support to foster healthy habits and protection against COVID. 
  • Distribution of  1696 Health kits and Home isolation kits to 2612 beneficiaries

Awareness sessions – 1488 participants on topics:

  1. Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights with a special focus on COVID-19 linkages
  2. COVID-19 Impact on Mental Health & Other Health diseases line Monkey Pox etc
  3. demo on the usage of the Home Isolation Kit

For more details, write to us at  info@uwindia.org

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