RWF provides important financial support to the Rainbow Home of the Seven Sisters, a shelter and community center for the marginalized Hijira/kinner (transgender) community, in the Joypur area of Guwahati, Assam. In India, most transgender people endure deep prejudice and open hostility. Many are rejected by family and are forced to leave home. Transgender woman face severe employment discrimination and in desperation many beg or are forced into survival sex work.
At Seven Sisters, the women are able to bond, support one another, organize, and begin to heal. The women receive emergency housing, psychological support, and vocational skills training. The home was opened 18 months ago and has already served over 400 women. Many of the women have been able to leave survival sex work and become self-sufficient.