Noor Shekhawat dreads the hospital. As a Transwoman and activist, she knows the routine. The stares. The whispers. The ridicule. The fear.

“Seeking medical care when you appear different from others is always a challenge,” Noor says. “If you add ridicule to the mix, chances are the non-binary will stay away and suffer.”

For transgender people, the struggle is relentless. They are among the most marginalized communities around the world.

Discrimination follows them everywhere. In schools. In workplaces. In clinics. Homophobia and transphobia are deeply rooted. Many live in poverty. Many face violence. Access to healthcare remains one of the hardest barriers to cross. The stigma is suffocating. It stops them from seeking treatment. Even for life-threatening conditions like HIV/AIDS.

“Discrimination is an everyday struggle,” Noor says. “People don’t accept a transgender woman as a woman. They call us names. Fearing ridicule, many don’t go to hospitals to get their ART.”

Without care, they suffer in silence. For many, survival means turning to sex work. Few formal jobs are open to them. This makes them even more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections.

But change is coming.

In Jaipur, a new initiative is offering hope. A collaboration led by UNDP India, the Rajasthan State AIDS Control Society, and local advocates has opened a legal aid clinic. This clinic does more than offer legal help. It provides a refuge. It connects people living with HIV to treatment. It raises awareness. For many transgender individuals, it is a lifeline.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen something like this,” Noor says. “It gives us a little dignity. A little hope. A little glimpse into what life could be…”

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign that highlights the urgent need to combat violence and inequality facing women and girls worldwide. UNDP has joined the global call through a campaign titled, #WhenWomenHaveAccess to demonstrate the transformational impact access brings to the lives and livelihoods of women, especially those belonging to some of the most marginalized groups: transgender women, smallholder women farmers, tribal women, and women waste workers.  

Noor’s story is a call to dismantle barriers. Healthcare is a right. Dignity is a right. No one should have to fight this hard to claim them. The work is far from over. But every step forward brings justice closer. Every act of advocacy matters.

For Noor. For thousands like her. For a world that must do better.