In India’s broader conversation around diversity and inclusion, the role of the transgender community in shaping a more equitable and just society has gradually begun to gain visibility. Organizations like the TWEET Foundation and InHarmony are at the forefront of this shift, whose collaborative efforts create meaningful pathways for employment, dignity, and representation for transgender individuals. Their work is helping redefine both the landscape of entrepreneurship and the narrative around gender identity in professional spaces.
The TWEET Foundation, a community-led NGO based in Delhi and Mumbai, has been instrumental in building support structures for the transgender community. Led by transgender persons themselves, the organization provides a wide range of services—from crisis intervention and short-stay shelters to access to healthcare, legal support, and career development programs. What sets TWEET apart is its dual focus on grassroots support and systemic change. The Foundation has influenced several government policies, using its advocacy work to improve conditions and access for the transgender community across India. Its partnerships span governments, civil society, and the corporate sector, helping to build bridges between underserved communities and formal institutions.
Working in alignment with TWEET’s mission is InHarmony, a diversity, equity, and inclusion advisory firm founded by Anupama Easwaran. With expertise in intersectional areas such as gender, caste, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and disability rights, InHarmony works with organizations to build inclusive work cultures. Through consulting, sensitization workshops, employee wellbeing programs, and inclusive hiring practices, the firm supports companies in implementing actionable DEI strategies. Easwaran, who also serves as a board member of the TWEET Foundation, has worked with the transgender community for over eight years and was recognized with the APCOM Hero Award in 2023 for her commitment as a community ally.
Together, TWEET Foundation and InHarmony have formed a strong alliance that extends beyond advocacy into real-world impact. Their initiatives have resulted in sensitization programs for corporate teams, employability training for transgender individuals, and the development of hiring frameworks that accommodate and affirm gender-diverse identities. One of the most significant outcomes of this collaboration is the Transgender Employment Mela (TEM), launched in 2023 as a dedicated platform for connecting transgender job seekers with inclusive employers.
The Employment Mela has quickly established itself as more than just a recruitment event. While employment remains at its core, the initiative also addresses systemic challenges such as lack of documentation, interview preparedness, and access to professional networks. The inaugural edition of the Mela received over 500 applications, resulting in 58 successful job placements. The following year, the event expanded its reach significantly, with over 227 transgender candidates and participation from more than 20 companies, including notable names like Tata Steel, EY Foundation, Publicis Sapient, and Varun Beverages.
This growing interest from corporates suggests a shift in how workplaces are beginning to view diversity, not simply as a moral imperative, but as an essential component of progressive workforce development. The Mela’s impact is measured not just in job offers but in the awareness it generates and the conversations it initiates within hiring ecosystems.
Speaking about the vision behind the initiative, Abhina Aher, Founder and CEO of the TWEET Foundation, emphasized that the Mela represents more than a recruitment drive. It aims to address the systemic marginalization faced by transgender people in the labour market and create sustainable livelihoods through inclusive hiring. Anupama Easwaran echoes this sentiment, highlighting that true inclusion must extend beyond corporate policies to tangible opportunities for historically marginalized groups.
Maya Awasthy, Global Trans Activist and Director of External Relations at the TWEET Foundation, reflected on the significance of the Mela’s growing scale and impact. She noted that each edition not only improves employability outcomes but also contributes to a broader cultural shift in how transgender individuals are perceived in professional environments.
“True inclusion is not just about changing policies—it’s about changing mindsets, structures, and access. Through our partnership with the TWEET Foundation, we’re working to build systems that recognize the dignity, resilience, and talent of transgender individuals. Inclusion must move from the boardroom to the grassroots, where it can truly transform lives.”
— Anupama Easwaran, Founder, InHarmony & Board Member, TWEET Foundation
Through their continued partnership, TWEET Foundation and InHarmony are helping reshape the contours of workplace inclusion in India. Their efforts underscore the need to move beyond tokenism toward structures that recognize and accommodate diverse identities with fairness and respect. At its heart, this work is about ensuring that transgender individuals, regardless of their educational background or past experiences, can access meaningful employment, participate fully in economic life, and thrive with dignity.
In doing so, they are setting an example of what an inclusive society can look like—one that not only redefines success but also reaffirms the right of every individual to be seen, heard, and valued
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Last Updated on: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 12:51 pm by Admin | Published by: Digital Herald Team on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 12:28 pm | News Categories: Brand Post
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