Trans Employment Mela 2025 returns to Delhi: Aiming for deeper inclusion for transgender and non-binary communities

Trans Employment Mela 2025

TWEET Foundation is a trailblazing, community-led NGO headquartered in Delhi and Mumbai, founded and operated by transgender individuals. The foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of life for the transgender community through a range of support services and empowerment initiatives. These include crisis intervention, short-term shelter facilities, access to healthcare and legal aid, vocational training, and employment linkage programs that connect trans individuals with inclusive job opportunities.

In addition to its direct service work, TWEET Foundation plays a pivotal role in policy advocacy and systemic reform. It collaborates closely with government bodies, civil society organisations, and corporate stakeholders to influence positive change in laws, infrastructure, and societal attitudes toward transgender rights. As one of the few trans-led NGOs in India making a nationwide impact, the foundation has successfully contributed to several government policy advancements aimed at empowering the transgender population.

Their work in shaping public discourse, building strategic alliances, and enabling grassroots impact has earned TWEET Foundation a reputation as a key driver of trans empowerment and inclusion across sectors.

InHarmony is a leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) advisory firm in India, dedicated to transforming workplace cultures into more equitable, inclusive, and respectful environments. Founded by Anupama Easwaran—an acclaimed DEI expert and board member of the TWEET Foundation—InHarmony offers a wide range of consultancy services including DEI strategy development, sensitisation training, mental wellness programs, research insights, and diversity hiring support.

InHarmony’s expertise spans across dimensions of identity, including gender, LGBTQIA+ communities, individuals with disabilities, and those from historically marginalised caste backgrounds. The organisation works with clients from various industries, tailoring innovative and intersectional DEI solutions to their specific needs.

Anupama Easwaran, who has worked closely with the transgender community for over eight years, was honoured with the APCOM Hero Award in 2023 for her role as a community ally and is a two-time TEDx speaker advocating for inclusive change.

Together, TWEET Foundation and InHarmony have forged a strong alliance focused on improving the lives and livelihoods of transgender individuals. Their ongoing collaboration includes designing inclusive workplace policies, conducting sensitisation sessions for corporate teams, and developing job readiness programs for trans job seekers. Through initiatives like the Transgender Employment Mela, they are not only facilitating access to dignified employment but also challenging stigma and transforming societal mindsets.

This partnership represents a powerful convergence of grassroots activism and professional DEI consultancy, working hand in hand to create a more inclusive, just, and equitable India.

Beyond a job fair: A movement for dignity and access

The Trans Employment Mela is far more than a recruitment event. It serves as a platform for change, where corporate leaders, policymakers, community advocates, and job seekers converge to dismantle systemic barriers and challenge deep-rooted biases. From skill-building workshops and documentation support to sensitisation training and live performances, the Mela cultivates a supportive ecosystem for both job seekers and employers.

According to Abhina Aher, Founder of TWEET Foundation, “The Mela is about reclaiming rightful space in our economy. For far too long, transgender individuals have been excluded from formal employment channels despite being immensely talented. This event is our collective commitment to change that reality.”

An ecosystem of support and awareness

InHarmony has been instrumental in driving this change. As a long-time ally of the transgender community, Easwaran emphasises that, “True inclusion is not just policy—it’s practice. The Mela bridges the talent gap and gives companies a tangible way to show up for the community, not just through hiring, but through building an ecosystem of respect and empowerment.”

The Mela also provides a space for transgender entrepreneurs to share their journeys, and for companies to explore trans-led business collaborations, thereby normalising leadership and innovation within the community.

Transforming hiring culture

At its heart, the Mela is about building a future where identity is not a barrier but a badge of strength. By enabling employers to directly engage with transgender and non-binary talent, it demystifies misconceptions and fosters long-term workplace transformation.

As Maya Awasthy, Co-Founder of TWEET Foundation, points out, “Every successful placement is a life transformed. It means independence, purpose, and visibility. It challenges society to unlearn its prejudices and embrace inclusivity not as charity but as common sense.”

Corporate allies join the movement

For 2025, Publicis Sapient returns as the Platinum Sponsor, with P&G and Hexaware joining as Gold Sponsors—highlighting an increasing commitment from India Inc. to support transgender inclusion through actionable outcomes. Companies participating in the Mela are not only offering jobs but also undergoing DEI training to ensure workplaces are safe, affirming, and equitable.

Continuing the momentum

The announcement of the 2025 edition was made during TWEET Foundation’s annual celebration, attended by over 300 transgender community members, allies, and dignitaries. The energy and unity at the event underscored just how vital such platforms are, not just for employment but for visibility, self-worth, and systemic reform.

A future worth building

As the third Trans Employment Mela gears up for its most ambitious edition yet, it becomes clear that inclusive employment is no longer a fringe issue—it is central to India’s progress toward equality. The collaborative efforts of TWEET Foundation and InHarmony are not only rewriting narratives but are also reshaping structures that previously excluded transgender individuals from opportunity.

With 100 targeted placements, hundreds of empowered lives, and growing corporate involvement, this year’s Mela is poised to create a lasting impact. It’s not merely about employment—it’s about building a nation where everyone, regardless of gender identity, can thrive with dignity and purpose.