Hum Is Desh Wasi (HIDW), Hyderabad

Hum Is Desh Wasi (HIDW) is a community-led organisation based in Hyderabad, Telangana, working towards a more inclusive, equal and democratic society in which LGBTQIA+ communities, hijra communities, women, political diaspora and other marginalised groups are recognised as equal participants in social, economic and political life.

HIDW works at the intersection of community development, health, social protection, livelihoods, economic empowerment, policy advocacy and political inclusion. The organisation believes that meaningful change cannot be achieved through welfare alone. Communities must have the knowledge, resources, institutions and collective voice to participate in decisions that affect their lives.

Our Approach

HIDW combines grassroots community engagement with policy advocacy and democratic political participation. Its work begins with the immediate concerns of communities—access to healthcare, identity documents, social security, housing, livelihoods and financial inclusion—and connects these concerns with broader structural issues of rights, representation and public policy.

The organisation works closely with transgender and hijra communities to facilitate access to essential services and entitlements, including:

1. Health camps and health-awareness programmes for LGBTQIA+ communities
2. Assistance with transgender identity cards and other identity documentation
3. Health insurance and social-security schemes
4. Ration cards, housing applications and other welfare entitlements
5. Bank accounts and financial inclusion
6. Postal savings and other financial services
7. Formation and strengthening of Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
8. Alternative livelihood and skills-development programmes
9. Community awareness on health, HIV, STI prevention, gender-affirming healthcare and social welfare services

From Welfare to Empowerment

A central principle of HIDW is to move communities from dependency towards dignity, self-reliance and collective empowerment. The organisation therefore supports not only access to government schemes and services, but also community leadership, economic independence and the development of strong community institutions.

For transgender and hijra communities in particular, HIDW seeks to create pathways towards employment, livelihoods, entrepreneurship and financial security, while addressing the discrimination and exclusion that often prevent meaningful participation in mainstream economic systems.

Policy Advocacy and Political Inclusion

HIDW recognises that many challenges faced by marginalised communities are created or reinforced by policies, institutions and systems. Therefore, community work is complemented by policy advocacy and engagement with government institutions, political parties and other decision-makers.

The organisation has engaged in dialogues with political parties across the political spectrum on the political inclusion and representation of LGBTQIA+ communities. HIDW believes that LGBTQIA+ people should not only be beneficiaries of government programmes but should also have a voice in shaping public policy, welfare programmes and democratic institutions.

HIDW also makes representations concerning the inclusion and welfare of transgender personnel working in Telangana State Government-led initiatives, including areas such as traffic assistance, Metro-related employment and other public-facing roles.

Building Strong Community Institutions

HIDW believes that sustainable change comes when communities themselves become organised and capable of responding to their own challenges. The organisation therefore encourages community-led structures, leadership development, peer support and collective decision-making.

Particular attention is given to strengthening hijra and transgender community leadership, creating spaces where community members can discuss health, safety, livelihoods, social protection, discrimination and relationships with government and other institutions.

Our Vision

HIDW envisions a society where LGBTQIA+, hijra, women and other marginalised communities live with dignity, equality, economic security and political voice.

We aspire to build a future in which marginalised communities are not merely included in existing systems but are recognised as equal partners in shaping society, public policy, welfare and democracy.

Our Commitment

Hum Is Desh Wasi is committed to building bridges between community needs and institutional change—connecting grassroots action with policy advocacy, economic empowerment and democratic participation.

Our work is grounded in the belief that dignity is not a service to be provided; it is a right to be recognised, protected and strengthened through collective action.