Creating Pathways for Livelihood with Dignity & Self Reliance
Bringing Gender Sensitivity into Institutions
Building Leadership for a more inclusive tomorrow
Libraries that Make Learning Accesible to Everyone
Building Comunities & Governance for Dignity & Inclusion
#NoMoreHoldingMypee
Who we are
We are a transgender-led, not-for-profit organization working for gender justice, education, and community empowerment in Assam, Northeast India registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013.
Vision & Mission
Vision
A just, inclusive, and equal society in India where every transgender and queer individual lives with dignity as equal citizens.
Mission
- Build and co-create free, community-run libraries as inclusive feminist spaces
- Nurture and support LGBTQIA+ leaders working toward gender justice
- Center LGBTQIA+ voices in Northeast India through education, economic opportunity, and access to rights & entitlements
The Problem
92% of transgender persons in India remain unemployed or trapped in informal, unstable work (NHRC, 2018).
- Only 2% of transgender persons in India possess all three critical identity documents: Aadhaar, Voter ID, and Transgender Certificate/ID. (NHRC & UNDP, 2018)
- Less than 30% of transgender persons are aware of schemes like SMILE, Garima Greh, and trans-specific health insurance. (Study by Akam)
- Most Indian states — including Assam — have poor implementation of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. (2021 NALSA monitoring report)
Our Work
Queer Leadership Development
A feminist leadership development program nurturing young queer and allied leaders across Assam...
Access to Rights & Entitlement
Bridging the gap between policy and lived reality—Swabhiman ensures transgender persons in Assam...
Queer Affirmative Well-being Ecosystem
A research and action initiative building a queer-affirmative mental health ecosystem in Assam...
Livelihood Security
A livelihood initiative enabling transgender and queer individuals in Assam to build sustainable employment...
Inclusion in Education
Supporting transgender and queer students in Assam to pursue higher education through scholarships...
Free Community Library
More than a library—Akam's free community libraries create inclusive spaces for children and youth...
OUR REACH
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Engagement with Govt. Stakeholders
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Documentation Support
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Through Community Meetings
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Engagement with Educational Institutes
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Scholorship Support
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Leaders Mentored
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Livelihood Champions
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Books Accesible
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Community Libraries
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Children Engaged
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Books Circulated
Empowerment begins when we see dignity not charity; strength, not struggle. At Akam, we stand not to uplift the marginalized, but to dismantle the systems that made us so. Power belongs to the people — always.
– Rituparna, Director, Akam Foundation
Our Partners
Testimonies
“It has been a great experience working with Akam Foundation. It has enriched my learning about the community and also about inclusion in education. I got the opportunity to interact with people from various fields, making me understand how an individual can be passionate about one’s work. Look forward to attending more sessions and workshops in the future.”
– Dr. Sunita Agarwal, Former Vice Principal, Dispur College
“With support from the Akam Foundation, my income has increased, and I can contribute to household expenses with dignity.”
– Sundori, Swabalamban Champion
“Being a Muslim transman, taking Hijab was a disgraceful thing I felt wearing. Out of irritation, I took my father to a psychiatrist to discuss my gender identity. After attending the Community Meet-up, I felt inspired to take this action as resilience towards being vocal about my well-being.”
