HIGHLIGHTS FOR FY 2023-24

GFATM C-19 Social Protection (SP) and Key 1 - Population (KP) Programme

Soukhya Samruddhi Samsthe (SSS) has implemented the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM) C-19 SP and KP Grant under Soukhya Sanjeevni Samsthe (SSS), supported through SAATHII and Swathi Mahila Sangha (SMS), to help gender and sexuality minorities in society overcome barriers in obtaining essential government documents. This initiative has been implemented to facilitate access to key documents like Aadhaar and PAN cards, which are crucial for benefiting from various government schemes. By training facilitators who share similar backgrounds with the beneficiaries, the program empowers the local community and strengthens their ability to access critical support.

The objective of the SP grant is to address the lack of awareness and access to essential documents, such as Aadhaar, PAN cards, community certificates, and bank accounts, Government schemes, among community members. The project aims to provide these services through trained community facilitators, who are also from the community.

GFATM C-19 Social Protection (SP) Programme

The C19 RM project, supported by GFATM, is a significant initiative for Soukhya Samrudhi Samsthe (SSS) that has positively impacted the community through the Social Protection (SP) and Key Population (KP) Programs. Through the SP Program, we provided support to community members, specifically WSW, assisting them with Social Entitlements and Social Scheme requirements.

GOAL of SP Grant: Increase access to the uptake of social protection and HIV services for Key and vulnerable populations in the 14 intervention states across India.

OBJECTIVE: Increase access to social protection and HIV services among Key and Vulnerable populations in multiple states across India (social protection includes – ID Cards / Certificates, DBT enabled Bank / Post Office accounts).

Through this program, we supported 380 members in applying for various Social Entitlements and Social Scheme requirements. Of which 350 members were benefitted, 197 benefitted with Social Entitlements and 153 individuals with Social Schemes.

GFATM C-19 Key Population (KP) Programme

Throughout the year, Soukhya Samrudhi Samsthe (SSS) has made remarkable progress in empowering sex workers of all genders through the GFATM/C19/RM Key Population grant. This initiative aims to strengthen the capabilities of 62 Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) that represent various populations, with a focus on building resilience and advocating for the right to live with dignity. Centered in the Kolar district, the program strives to amplify the voices of women in sex work while improving their access to justice and legal support.

Goal of KP Grant:

Increase the capacity of sex workers of all genders and their CBOs towards building sustainable community mechanism for resilience and right to life with dignity.

OBJECTIVE 1:

Strengthen institutional capacity and sustainability of 132 CBOs serving sex workers (F, M, TG) (NNSW 70 CBOs, and TAARAS 62 CBOs).

OBJECTIVE 2:

Increase understanding among sex workers regarding their rights, and enable their access to available socio-legal mechanisms for the prevention and redressal of stigma, discrimination, and violence.

Legal Literacy Session:

A notable achievement of our initiative has been the successful Legal Literacy Campaign, which was meticulously designed to educate and empower community members about their legal rights and protections.

Key Highlights of the Legal Literacy Campaign

Appointment and Training of Help Desk Coordinator:

A dedicated Help Desk Coordinator was appointed to lead the campaign and provide personalized support to community members. The coordinator underwent comprehensive training on essential legal frameworks, including:

Domestic Violence Act: Addressing protections for individuals in domestic abuse situations.

HIV Protection Act: Safeguarding the rights and dignity of individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

Target Audience and Reach:

We successfully reached 466 members through legal literacy campaign educating them on legal rights and services.

Extensive Legal Literacy Sessions:

A total of 380 legal literacy sessions were conducted.

Sessions included both one-on-one interactions and group discussions, ensuring personalized and impactful engagement. The approach fostered a deeper understanding of legal rights and how to navigate legal systems effectively.

Crisis Support and DLSA Referrals:

23 individuals from community facing crises were supported such as: Domestic violence

Family disputes
Threats or harassment from local goons
Client-related conflicts
Legal challenges

These individuals were provided immediate assistance and referred to the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) for expert legal aid and resolution.

This campaign has significantly enhanced legal awareness among community members, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to assert their rights and seek justice. It stands as a testament to the power of tailored interventions in addressing critical community needs.

District Level Advocacy Meeting with the support of KP grant, SMS and TAARAS

The district-level advocacy meeting was held in collaboration with DLSA, bringing together participants, including key legal and law enforcement officials, community members, and representatives from various support organizations. This event fostered a collaborative approach to address community legal challenges and strengthened support networks for SSS members.

The attendees discussed a pivotal Supreme Court observation on women in sex work, issued in May 2022. This event not only heightened awareness of the legal rights of women in sex work but also raised the profile of the SSS CBO, laying a strong foundation for future advocacy efforts. The meeting featured panel advocates from DLSA, police officials, representatives from DAPCU, DSW, CWC, board members, staff members, and SSS community members.

CBO Need Assessment

Additionally, a comprehensive needs assessment was conducted to evaluate the operational effectiveness of the CBOs involved in our grant. In collaboration with organizations such as Saathii and Sattva, the assessment revealed that the SSS CBO is strong and growing. These findings will be crucial in shaping our strategies to enhance support for these organizations and ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

Legal and Governance: Ensure all legal and governance documents are filed and documented accurately.

Provisional Documents: Obtain and update essential documents like 12A and 80G for tax exemptions.

Website Development: Create and maintain an organizational website for the AJMS CBO.

Annual Report Support: Provide technical support to compile and design the organization’s annual report.

CSR Registration: Begin the CSR registration process to expand funding opportunities.

Organizational Development and Legal Literacy Training for CBO Leaders

As part of the KP initiative, the SMS team organized a comprehensive training program focusing on organizational development tailored for community based organization (CBO) leaders. This training aimed to improve their knowledge of CBO status and compliance with legal requirements. Furthermore, additional sessions on legal literacy, HIV/AIDS awareness, and pandemic preparedness were conducted.

IMPACT of GFATM C-19 Key Population (KP) Programme

The outcomes of this program have been significant. By strengthening the capabilities of local organizations and raising awareness of legal rights, we have cultivated a more supportive environment for sex workers. Looking ahead, SSS is dedicated to advocating for the rights and dignity of all individuals within key populations, ensuring their voices are heard and valued in society.

Through dedicated advocacy efforts, SSS has successfully reduced police raids and harassment faced by sex workers. Additionally, community leaders have gained the confidence and skills to advocate directly with police officers, fostering mutual understanding and respect. This shift reduces conflicts and empowers members to advocate for their rights, creating a safer, more supportive community environment.

The KP grant has played a vital role in building leadership skills among members, who now take ownership of their CBO operations. Leaders are now not only aware of the importance of sustainable funding but are also exploring various avenues for resource mobilization, showcasing increased self-reliance and initiative.

Additionally, the KP project has enabled SSS to complete essential legal formalities, establishing the CBO as a credible and legally recognized entity. This formalization has reinforced the organization’s position in the community and with local authorities, helping protect members and advocate effectively for their rights.

Total of 38 Members Have Received Livelihood 2 Support from Soukhya Samrudhi Samsthe through different social schemes

Chetana Scheme (rehabilitation of Sex workers)

Under this Scheme financial assistance is provided to the sex worker for self employment and to lead a decent and dignified life. A total of 18 women in sex work (WSWs) received financial assistance of ₹30,000 each to support self-employment opportunities and enhance their livelihood.

Dhanashree Scheme (helping women with HIV)

The Dhanashree scheme for empowering women from economically and socially weaker sections. The Dhanashree scheme is aimed at helping women with HIV. A total of 11 members (PLHIV) received financial assistance of ₹30,000 each to support self-employment opportunities.

Udyogini Scheme (subsidies on loan for women)

The Udyogini Scheme is a government initiative aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It provides financial assistance between 1 lakh to 3 laksh and subsidies to help women start and run small businesses, fostering self-reliance and economic independence. Additionally, low-interest loans are provided to eligible applicants to support a range of business activities, contributing to sustainable livelihood opportunities. A total of 9 members (5 WSW and 4 PLHIV) received financial assistance of ₹30,000 each to support self employment opportunities.