Background

In India, progressive or accepting conversations around gender and queerness remain confined to privileged urban social spaces. Rarely do such conversations make it to classrooms, and even less often to classrooms in socio-economically marginalized communities. LGBTQ+ adolescent children growing up in such communities are vulnerable to stigma, emotional distress, and a lack of tools with which to better understand themselves. Reports show that 50 to 60% of LGBTQ+ people in India have experienced forms of bullying, which has had various adverse effects on well-being, including reduced social interaction, anxiety and depression, lower academic performance, lower concentration, and in many cases, dropping out of school. 

UNESCO officials therefore emphasize intervention in educational institutions, where young students may access systems of support. However, most schools lack the necessary resources and faculty training to offer their students any meaningful support. As such, the integration of inclusive pedagogy, formal training for teachers, and the creation of peer-led support systems are urgently needed across such schools. When it comes to marginalized communities, whose students may deal with additional social, emotional, and financial stressors, such interventions are doubly urgent. Aasra was created to address precisely this issue by offering resources, training, and counselling services. By working with Sukhad Foundation, Aasra hopes to reach a large group of students, and support Sukhad’s ongoing efforts to assist them.