Greetings !

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.

Honouring Resilience: HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day

On 5th June, in observance of HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day, Alliance India released a video to honour the strength, resilience, and courage of people living with HIV across the country.

The video brought together the voices of long-term survivors, individuals who have been living with HIV for many years and continue to lead lives filled with dignity, hope, and purpose. Through their stories, they reflected on the journey of living with HIV, the importance of adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and the vital role of Care and Support Centres in ensuring continuity of care.

These voices serve as a reminder that HIV is not the end, but the beginning of a life shaped by strength and informed choices. The video highlighted how regular ART, strong community support, and responsive healthcare systems can transform lives. It also shed light on the close collaboration between Care and Support Centres and ART Centres, which ensures that people living with HIV remain engaged in treatment and receive the psychosocial support they need.

Check out the video here

As we continue working toward an AIDS-free future, Alliance India stands in solidarity with all long-term survivors and reaffirms its commitment to their health, rights, and well-being.

From Self-Help to Self-Reliance: SAHAS SHG & Skill Building Training for Transgender Persons

Alliance India, under the SAHAS initiative, organised a Two-Day Training on SHG Formation and Functioning, Social Entrepreneurship, and Vocational Skill Building for transgender persons on 10th and 11th June 2025 in Delhi.

The training brought together a vibrant mix of community leaders, social entrepreneurs, and partner organisations, including NNTP, Humsafar Trust, Connecting Dreams Foundation, NAAZ Foundation, Alliance India, and National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI), all committed to building pathways to economic independence and social inclusion for the transgender community.

Participants were introduced to practical models of SHG (Self-Help Group) formation, entrepreneurial thinking, and skill-building techniques tailored to their needs. A major highlight of the training was an inspiring presentation by visually impaired chefs from The Blind Bake Café, who demonstrated that barriers can be turned into bridges with the commitment and support.

The event not only sparked motivation among participants to kick-start entrepreneurial initiatives but also laid the groundwork for future collaborations in this critical space.

Empowering Leaders from Within: Two-Day Training on Second Line Leadership in Delhi

To strengthen community-based organisations (CBOs) and amplify the voices of the transgender community, a two-day Training of Trainers on Advocacy and Capacity Building for Second Line Leadership was held in Delhi on 12th and 13th June 2025 under the SAHAS initiative.

The dynamic sessions aimed to equip emerging transgender leaders with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to step into leadership roles within their respective CBOs. Participants engaged in interactive modules on advocacy strategies, community mobilisation, policy understanding, and inclusive leadership.

By investing in second line leadership, this training is paving the way for sustainable leadership pipelines within the transgender community, empowering new leaders to take the baton forward. Participants left the training inspired, equipped, and ready to drive change within their organisations.

Support. Don’t Punish | 26 June 2025

On the occasion of the Support. Don’t Punish global advocacy campaign, Alliance India, in collaboration with the Indian Drug Users Forum (IDUF), hosted a meeting on 26th June 2025, which brought together drug user communities, policymakers, and public health stakeholders to emphasise the urgent need for health-centred, rights-based drug policies.

The dialogue focused on the evolving challenges faced by people who use drugs in India, including barriers in accessing HIV, STI, and hepatitis-related services, the rise in new infections among youth and adolescents, gender-based violence experienced by Women Who Use Drugs (WUD), and emerging patterns of drug use driven by digital platforms. The meeting also addressed the concern of increasing loss to follow-up among individuals who inject drugs, especially in the context of antiretroviral therapy and harm reduction services.

The event saw active participation from key national and international agencies, including the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), UNAIDS India, FHI 360, Global Fund partners, people living with HIV networks, and service providers from across the country. Their presence and contributions underscored the importance of a unified approach to drug policy reform, one that prioritises public health, compassion, and human dignity.

Through this platform, Alliance India reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the voices of drug user communities are heard, respected, and represented in policy-making spaces.

Pride in Representation, Power in Advocacy: Celebrating Pride Month at Alliance India

During the month of June, Alliance India led a vibrant and community-driven campaign to mark Pride Month, celebrating identity, dignity, and resilience. Through a series of social media posts, videos, and messages, we amplified voices from LGBTQ+ communities who are not only embracing their identities but also advocating for a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Our campaign captured the spirit of Pride as more than a celebration; it became a platform for visibility, solidarity, and collective strength. Voices from across the country reflected on what Pride means to them: a celebration of light, authenticity, and the freedom to be without fear. Themes of solidarity, support, joy, and unapologetic self-expression ran through each message, reminding us of the strength in unity and the importance of safe, inclusive spaces.

A key highlight of the month was the recognition of community leadership at the global level. Alliance India’s continued representation in key policy spaces reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that LGBTQ+ voices are not only heard but also lead the way in shaping inclusive, people-centred responses.

At Alliance India, Pride is not confined to a single month. It lives in our work, our partnerships, and our vision of a just and inclusive India for all.

Alliance India at the 56th UNAIDS Programme Coordinating
Board Meeting

At the 56th UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) Meeting held in Geneva, Amrita Sarkar, Advisor – Transgender Wellbeing & Advocacy, proudly represented Alliance India as part of the NGO Delegation.

Speaking on the global stage, Amrita highlighted the urgent need for a strategic human resource approach that centres on staff well-being, inclusive workspaces, and mental health support. Emphasising that “healthy people make healthy programmes,” she advocated for systems that prioritise the people who deliver and benefit from HIV services.

Her intervention also strongly called for a community-led HIV response to be at the heart of the upcoming UNAIDS 2026–2030 strategy, stressing that sustainable progress against HIV can only be achieved when communities most affected are empowered to lead.

Amrita’s presence at the PCB reaffirmed Alliance India’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that trans and key population voices are not only included but actively shape global health policies. Her leadership is a testament to the growing recognition of inclusive, people-centred approaches in the global HIV response.

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.