Concept Note

What is Raah? Our Vision and Our Mission

Raah is a student-led initiative of the Department of Child Development of Maniben

Nanavati Women’s College which aims to spread awareness among the parents of transgender folks, with the vision “To E.A.S.E, parents towards gender identity”; [E – Empathize, A – Accept, S – Sensitize, E – Empower] Its mission has three key aspects – To integrate transgender people into the mainstream society, to empower parents of transgender children and to increase awareness among people about the transgender individual.

What has Raah accomplished?

Raah has covered numerous events which have helped us succeed in our mission bringing us closer to our vision. Raah has successfully conducted:

• A donation drive of kitchen appliances to Garima Greh in collaboration with SFC Foundation
• Have been present at the Students meet for the LGBTQ+ community
• Have made been an active part of the Pride Parade 2023
• An Instagram live with pride in education on the topic of Role of Institutions in building an inclusion for transpersons.
• Havemade an appearance at The Kashish Film Festival 2023
• Conductedan Interview at Trans cafe in Andheri (West)
• Beena part of the Trans Inclusion Summit 2023
• Skill development programme which was based on Digital and English literacy. The Skill Development Programme was done in collaboration with Garima Greh, Tweet Foundation and The Rotary Club of Bombay Airport.With the help of the Skill development programme the residents of Garima Greh were able to learn the English language and also secured jobs at various companies.
• Madean appearance at The Transgender Employment Summit
• Conductedan Interview with Bambai Nazariya
• Conducteda Laptop Distribution Drive in collaboration with The Rotary Club of Bombay Airport
• VisitedGarima Greh
• RationDistribution Drive were all conducted in collaboration with generous organisations.
• Conducteda Hygiene Kit distribution Drive in collaboration with many generous organisations
• RAAHRation Distribution drive in collaboration with many generous organisations
• Conducteda Webinar called “Gender Affirming Surgical Interventions aimed towards parents, teenagers and transgender individuals” were also held.
• Conducteda Webinar called “DECODING GENDER (Hint: It isn’t binary)”
• Conducteda Webinar called “ECLIPSING GENDER: A Step towards “Trans” informing Gender Norms”
• Conducteda Webinar called ”Trans-Jan: A conversation with the members of the Transgender community.”
• Conducteda Webinar called “Beyond Gender: Unmasking Gender Norms”
• ConductedKavach Clothes Distribution Drive
• Conductedan Online event called “Azadi ke Lafz” (in collaboration with Project KINNARRAMBH, Rotary district 3141)
• Conducteda drive of providing nutritional packets to HIV positive patients which was called “Project Poshan”
• Conducteda Competition called “Lockdown:  Grow. Fly”

Raah also has a noted presence on social media – we work on Instagram and Facebook along with its own active, comprehensive website (currently upgrading to an even better Raah) where individuals can reach out to us and/or sign up as volunteers!

What is in Raah’s Future?

In it’s journey Raah now aims to: Gather volunteers both cisgender and transgender from across the city, state and eventually, the nation; create a strong network to support the transgender community of India and enabling parents of transgender children to create a space of acceptance and understanding. Focus on greater community involvement and networking with other organizations and individuals who strive for the same goals as Raah through improving our social media standing. Continue our mission of Gender Sensitisation and working alongside the transgender community, providing them with the necessary resources through upcoming drives and courses.