Meet Swetha Sudhakar, A Transgender Social Activist Empowering Education And Employment For Her Community

Swetha Sudhakar's life journey is truly awe-inspiring. She embarked on a path of self-discovery during her teenage years and, over time, transformed herself into a counsellor and trainer. Eventually, she founded Born2Win, a social welfare trust with a mission to empower not only the transgender community but also anyone seeking assistance. Swetha now serves as a social activist and the director of this transformative organisation. Her remarkable story is characterised by an abundance of positivity, with no hint of bitterness, despite the obstacles she has faced.

As part of Her Zindagi's new campaign, ‘Shakti Rupena Sasthita’, we bring you the stories of such hardworking women. Today, we will take you into the life of Swetha Sudhakar, a trans activist who has placed 120 members of the transgender community in the banking, IT, and development sectors.

HerZindagi’s new campaign, 'Shakti Rupen Sansthita', is an initiative to bring you stories of inspiring, independent, and strong women from different corners of India. We see every woman as an embodiment of strength. Some influence the world with their professional growth, others through personal choices. We believe that Goddess Durga exists in every woman, and this initiative glorifies their efforts to bring about positive change in our society.

Swetha Sudhakar's Journey To Becoming A Transgender Activist

Swetha, who finished her secondary and higher education at Nungambakkam's Corporation Boys School in Chennai, endured daily verbal abuse from her classmates. She was subjected to derogatory terms related to her gender identity. Swetha was passionate about dressing up, makeup, and dancing, which she could openly express on the school stage. However, when she entered college, her femininity became a target of mockery. Consequently, she left college and joined an NGO, where she worked as an outreach worker for an AIDS prevention awareness programme aimed at people living with HIV in the MSM communities. 'That’s when I realised that there are a lot more people like me, that we were not of unique birth but just a different gender,' she said.

During her tenure at the NGO, she successfully completed her BA in Public Administration and pursued her MA in Sociology through distance education. Additionally, she received training as a counsellor and gradually ascended to the position of a community trainer within the organisation.

Swetha Sudhakar’s Inspiring Story Of Starting Her NGO, Born2Win

Swetha firmly holds the belief that every individual seeks a meaningful purpose in life. When she decided to leave the organisation she had been a part of, a deep-seated desire arose within her, the need to craft her distinct identity and make a substantial contribution to the well-being of her community. This is the point at which ‘Born2Win’ emerged as a pivotal part of her journey. Shwetha said, ‘I've been on this journey for roughly 12 years now. During this time, I've dedicated myself to the cause of transgender education, employment, and overall development. I've facilitated employment opportunities for more than 120 individuals, and the results vary, with both success stories and setbacks. Additionally, I've extended scholarship support to approximately 70-80 individuals.’

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Swetha has also been actively involved in providing educational assistance to over 25 underprivileged girls raised by single mothers. On top of that, she has established her own tailoring unit and a DTP centre. Under the B2W STEP programme, this institute stands as the primary endeavour. It was founded in 2017 with the objective of providing training in tailoring to transgender individuals who express an interest in the craft.

Swetha added, ‘Last but not least, I manage a free shelter for transgender (transgender laws in India) individuals, where we prepare and serve daily meals to more than 20 transgender women, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment.’

Swetha Sudhakar On Stereotypical Perceptions Of The Transgender Community

As Swetha delved deeper into her mission of empowering these communities, she came to a significant realisation. While there were individuals willing to offer support, it became evident that a lot more needed to be done.

In Swetha's view, lasting change must originate from within the community itself. She emphasises the necessity for role models to emerge from within the transgender community, figures whom others can look up to for inspiration and guidance. She also believes that it is essential to address these ingrained stereotypes from a very foundational level.

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Since 2013, Born2Win has honoured 204 trans role models through the Trans Achievers Awards and raised Rs. 91,15,000 with annual Trans Achiever Calendars for the education of underprivileged children and trans women. They've supported 36 Trans women in 2016 and 72 in 2017, and are still going strong.

She articulated her perspective, stating, ‘While many tend to prioritise addressing health-related issues within the transgender community, I firmly stand by the belief that 'rights' hold even greater importance. Rights are not limited to matters of health alone; they embody a profound sense of legitimacy and empowerment and play a pivotal role in shaping one's identity.’