Gauri Sawant is a 37 year old transgender activist.
Born as Ganesh Suresh Sawant, she was born and raised in a conservative family in Pune. At a very early age of 9, after her mother’s demise, Gauri realised that she is different from others.
Gauri underwent transition with the help of Humsafar Trust. It was a struggle, but Gauri formed an NGO of her own called ‘Sakhi Char Chowghi’ in Malad, Mumbai.
She was recently a part of the Vicks ad in India that went viral.
Gauri promotes safe sex and provides counselling to transgenders from the Mumbai suburbs. She is also the petitioner of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) judgement that was passed in 2013. Three years after the Supreme Court recognised transgenders as a third gender, her community is still striving for basic civic rights.
Gauri adopted her daughter Gayatri when she found out the child had lost her biological mother and would be sold off. Gauri has a plan for ensuring that children of sex workers do not get trafficked into the profession.
She wishes to build a house for children of sex workers, using her own land. Gauri believes that if children are given the right environment and love and care, they will thrive.
Gauri has begun the planning of the house with her architect. The proposed plan is to have a two storied house. The first floor will have the kitchen and common area. The second floor will have the dormitories and toilets, along with a small ‘medicine’ room for children that fall sick.
As of now, the plans are such that around 70-80 children can be accommodated there. Gauri is fighting to ensure that these children have a loving childhood!
However, funds are still needed- Gauri needs atleast 10 lakhs more to ensure that her ‘Nani-ka-Ghar- project can be actioned on.
For this, Milaap has offered to match contributions to this campaign. Every contribution made to Gauri’s campaign over the next week will be matched 20% by Milaap, causing Gauri to reach her goal faster. Please help share this news among your contacts. Let’s help Gauri’s Nani-ka-Ghar become a reality!
Source: Milaap
