Randhoni Lairikyengbam

Randhoni is a social work professional working with the non-governmental organization SAATHII in Manipur, India, for the past 12 years. She has overall 16 years of experience in the development sector, and has been leading programs in North-East India that promote universal access to health, legal and social services for populations marginalized on account of HIV, gender and sexuality in India. She recently led a project that aimed to reduce stigma and discrimination and promote access to justice for LGBTIQ communities in three states in the domains of law-policy, healthcare and education. Previously she was engaged with a program that facilitated access to public schemes for PLHIV and other marginalised communities like Injecting Drug Users, Female Sex workers and gender and sexual minorities in four North-East states. She has been part of monitoring teams of Common Review Mission in Jharkhand as part of NHM, and has facilitated review and documentation of Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) in Assam and Manipur. She is currently engaged in promoting inclusive services, violence reduction and advocacy for LGBTIQA+ equality in multiple domains. She has actively contributed in advocacy efforts for implementation of the Supreme Court’s ruling on transgender rights at a state level in Manipur and other North-Eastern states, in partnership with community groups such as AMANA, ETA, ATMA, SHAMAKAMI and Sympyllieng. She has significantly contributed to formation of transmen-inclusive Transgender Welfare Board, facilitated Free Legal Aid support for Transgender and opening of Legal Aid Clinic for GSM in Manipur, capacity building of community groups, and has represented SAATHII at national and international forums.