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Alliance India continues to make strides in its mission to combat HIV/AIDS and promote inclusivity and healthcare access for all. In this edition of our newsletter, we bring you exciting updates and developments from our recent initiatives and collaborations.
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Alliance India in collaboration with ICMR Host Community Consultation on Social Media and Risk Behaviours
| | | | | | On 8th October 2025, Alliance India, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, hosted a community consultation meeting for the research study titled “Evaluation of Various Social Media Platforms and Apps Usage Patterns and Determination of the Risk Factors.” The consultation brought together experts from ICMR-NITVAR (Pune), ICMR-NIE (Chennai), ICMR-NIRBI (Kolkata), UNAIDS India, NACO, ICRW Asia, UNDP India, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE), and representatives from non-profit research agencies and community-based organisations (CBOs). The meeting provided a collaborative platform for rich discussions and community-led recommendations to strengthen the research design and ensure a comprehensive, inclusive approach to the study.
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Spotlight: Inayat’s Journey: Finding Safety, Pride, and Belonging
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For Inayat Khan, a transgender woman, life hasn’t been an easy road. Growing up in a conservative household, she often felt torn between who she was expected to be and who she truly was. After losing her father during the COVID-19 pandemic, family tensions deepened, and constant scrutiny over her gender expression and choices made home life unbearable.
There was always a quiet fear of being misunderstood, judged, or unseen for who she truly is. Determined to live on her terms, Inayat moved out and began rebuilding her life in Delhi. But even there, challenges persisted, such as landlords’ prejudice, social isolation, and the quiet fear of rejection that many transgender individuals face daily. At home, she still tries to maintain a neutral dress code to avoid questions. A Master’s graduate in English Literature, Inayat works as a primary school teacher in the same school where she once studied. She also performs part-time as a puppeteer and storyteller, expressing herself through art and creativity. On the outside, it may look like she’s living the life she always wanted, but deep inside, there was still a sense of emptiness, the anxiety and fear that shadows every intimate relationship.
Her turning point came when she met a peer from Project SPECTRUM, an initiative funded by the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) that builds community-led responses to substance use, focusing on harm reduction, mental health, and inclusion. What began as a casual conversation about HIV awareness led her to the SPECTRUM HUB, a safe and affirming space where she could talk openly about sexual health and identity without fear or judgment. Through counselling and guidance, Inayat learned about PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and began using it to protect her health. More than that, she found a community that saw her, accepted her, and celebrated her.
“For the first time,” Inayat says, “I feel safe — in my body, in my choices, and in my community.” Inayat’s story is one among many that highlight how community-led programmes like Project SPECTRUM go beyond health; they create spaces of trust, empowerment, and self-acceptance where everyone can thrive. | | | | | | | |
Strengthening Partnerships: Community Dialogue with the Global Fund Chair of the Board
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On 11th October 2025, Alliance India had the honour of welcoming Lady Roslyn Morauta, Chair of the Board, The Global Fund, for a meeting with community representatives. The dialogue provided an important platform for communities to share their priorities and insights for the upcoming Global Fund replenishment. Participants highlighted the need for sustained investment in community systems to ensure long-term, equitable access to HIV, TB, and Malaria programmes in India. The discussion reaffirmed the critical role communities play in shaping effective, inclusive, and sustainable health responses.
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Cross-Border Collaboration: Strengthening Transgender Health in South Asia
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On 11th October 2025, Sompurna Bangladesh, an organisation working for transgender communities, organised a day-long consultation in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Ms Amrita Sarkar was invited to attend the meeting in person, where she shared India’s experience in transgender healthcare and policy-level interventions and contribution of Alliance India.
As an outcome of this consultation, Sompurna Bangladesh is now engaging with UNDP Bangladesh to implement a pilot project involving Alliance India and the Blue Diamond Society, Nepal. The initiative will focus on cross-country learning, and developing comprehensive healthcare interventions for transgender people in Bangladesh.
Each of these initiatives, reflects Alliance India’s unwavering commitment to amplifying community voices, strengthening systems, and ensuring inclusive and equitable access to health and social protection for all. | | | | | |
Amplifying Community Voices: Amrita Sarkar, Alliance India at the UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy Consultation
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On 22–23 October 2025, UNAIDS organised the second multi-stakeholder consultation on the Global AIDS Strategy (2026–2030). As part of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) NGO Delegation Team, Amrita Sarkar, Advisor: Transgender Wellbeing & Advocacy at Alliance India, delivered a statement on Priority Area 3 of the strategy — Promoting Community Leadership, Human Rights, and Shared Accountability. She emphasised the need to work on the following areas: - Define and measure meaningful community leadership
- Sustainability of the community-led interventions through long-term investment and
- Link community leadership with enabling legal environments
The first meeting of the Civil Society Advisory Group (CSAG) for the 57th PCB Meeting Thematic Segment was organised on 14th October. As the focal point of the CSAG, Amrita Sarkar chaired the meeting, which was also attended by Ms Mona Balani, Programme Manager – Community System Strengthening at Alliance India. The members of the group discussed areas where the community, civil society organisations, and UNAIDS need to work together in the coming days to ensure a sustainable and community-led HIV response.
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National Meeting on Supreme Court Ruling and C19RM-KP Grant Dissemination
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The National Meeting on Sensitisation on the Supreme Court Ruling on Sex Work and Sex Workers, and the Dissemination of the Key Population (C19RM) GFATM Grant, was held on 29–30th October 2025 in New Delhi.
Organised by Alliance India in partnership with the All India Network of Sex Workers (AINSW), and its affiliated sex worker-led CBOs — Usha Multipurpose Cooperative Society and Ashodaya Samithi, the meeting brought together community leaders, partners, and key stakeholders from across the country.
The Grant strengthened linkage to various social protection and welfare schemes provided by the Central and State Government, such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and voter IDs, as well as opening bank accounts and linking them to various other social protection schemes. The project focused on building leadership, organisational development, and long-term resilience within the community.
The event had representatives from UNAIDS, Mr David Bridger, UNAIDS Country Director, India and Alliance India Board Members — Dr Sadhana Rout and Mr Kapil Kaul — alongside senior stakeholders and donor partners.
As we move forward, Alliance India remains committed to advancing intersectionality, inclusion, and partnership.
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Celebrating 80 Years of the United Nations
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On 24th October 2025, Amrita Sarkar, representing the UNAIDS PCB NGO Delegation Group, attended the UN80 celebration at the UN House, New Delhi. The event marked eight decades of the United Nations’ commitment to peace, equality, and global solidarity. Amrita’s participation reflected Alliance India’s ongoing engagement in global dialogues promoting inclusion, equity, and community leadership.
| | | | | | As we continue to embark on these transformative journeys and make a lasting impact on the lives of the most marginalised, like People Living with HIV, transgender and other such group. We invite our generous donors to stand with us. Your support fuels innovation, empowers individuals, and rekindles hope. Join us in shaping a brighter and more inclusive future for all. Your contributions make a world of difference.
Thank you for being a beacon of change and a source of strength. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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