By Pritesh Kamble, Unit Head, Inclusion Unit, CYDA
Dhanya, a transwoman, lives in Kannur, Kerala. Her story shows that she is much more than her gender. It is a journey from rejection and poverty to dignity and independence. Like many LGBTQIA+ people in India, Dhanya faced exclusion from society. At 20, she was forced to leave her home because of her identity, with no education and no money.
For nearly ten years, she moved between cities, staying in shelters and doing small jobs. Wherever she went, people judged her- co-workers made fun of her, employers refused to hire her, and suppliers did not trust her. Still, Dhanya never gave up or turned to unsafe work. She held on to her dream of living with dignity through honest work.
Intervention
When Kerala introduced a transgender policy to support inclusion, Dhanya returned to her hometown and took charge of a small, petty shop. She worked hard, but wholesalers would not give her credit, and customers did not prefer to buy from her.
During this difficult time, a local priest introduced her to Sandhya, an outreach worker from Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA). Sandhya encouraged Dhanya to join CYDA’s Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP), supported by Intel.
Impact
With better supplies and skills, Dhanya’s shop began to grow. She now saves ₹400 every day and has hired two helpers. The same community that once doubted her now respects her as a hardworking businesswoman.
Her biggest achievement was when her mother, who once could not accept her, began to recognize Dhanya’s courage and determination. Today, Dhanya is more than a label. She is a leader, a provider, and an inspiration. Her story shows that with support and opportunity, people from marginalized communities can build lives of dignity and independence.“We do not need sympathy, we need opportunity. We do not want to be hidden; we want to be heard. We are more than what the world thinks of us,” says Dhanya.
