Sakhee Project - Transgender Transforming Slums
Health Project on Zero-dose Immunisation in Slums
The project in the Indian district of Thane combats low vaccination rates in urban slums by employing members of the transgender community as trusted health ambassadors. These ambassadors are trained to identify unvaccinated children, accompany families to health services, and provide information on vaccination. Using culturally sensitive communication, storytelling, and a mobile app for real-time data collection, the project promotes behavioral change and improves access to basic medical care for around 200,000 people.
This project ticks a lot of boxes. It puts transgender women on the map as an inspiring information source for underserved people in slums. The way they do it, by using comics, is also very accessible for all kinds of people; young old, illiterate or not.
WINNER STATEMENTWe’re honored to win the iF SOCIAL IMPACT PRIZE for the Sakhee Project—an initiative where transgender women lead health change in slums using digital talking comics to fight vaccine hesitancy. This award celebrates inclusive design and community power to reach zero-dose children and drive health equity.
Design