Trans women are at the forefront of many struggles for justice and liberation –from building communities and creating systems of self and collective care, to fighting for access to educational and employment opportunities. 

Grace Banu was born in a rural community in Southern India, as part of a Dalit or so-called ‘untouchable’ caste. After overcoming several roadblocks through her advocacy, she became the first transgender person to be admitted into engineering college in Tamil Nadu, her home state. Sulique Waqa is a young transgender feminist and indigenous Fijian. She founded the Haus of Khameleon, a youth and transgender led feminist movement working to create a safe space for Transgender people in Fiji. 

In this episode, these two activists discuss the struggles of trans women and talk about the societal and political changes needed to truly make a positive impact in their communities.

Featuring Grace Banu Ganesan

Founder and Director Trans Rights Now Collective and Sulique Waqa Founder and Lifetime Board Member, Haus of Khameleon  in conversation with Gopika Bashi, Deputy Director of Programs at AWID.

That Feminist Fire is a podcast by AWID, the Association for Women’s Rights in Development, and produced by Hueman Group Media.

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