Sakhi for South Asian Survivors

Many South Asian children don't learn to swim due to cultural norms, stigma, and limited access to pools and swim lessons. The lack of water safety knowledge can lead to dangerous situations. We applaud the Wave Makers Program, launched by City Council Members Shekar Krishnan () and Julie Menin (), in partnership with Asphalt Green (), Commonpoint (), and the YMCA (), that offers free swim lessons to over 200,000 children across NYC to help address the needs in our community and expand safe water access for all.

Recent developments and rulings across all levels of courts in the United States have significantly impacted survivors of gender-based violence across the United States, presenting new challenges and intensifying existing ones. These decisions affect everyone–but the unique barriers faced by the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean diaspora have the potential to make these impacts particularly severe.

Click the link below to read Sakhi Development & Communications Manager Tan Hayat's analysis of what these developments and rulings mean for our communities.

A Crisis for Our Communities: A Snapshot of Recent Supreme Court Decisions and Developments – Sakhi for South Asian Survivors By Tan Hayat, Sakhi Development & Communications Manager Recent developments and rulings across all levels of courts in the United Read more...

Yesterday marked National Non-Binary Person's Day. Positioned between International Women's Day and International Men's Day, this day underscores the necessity of inclusivity and the ongoing work to support all gender identities.

Recognizing both the challenges and the strengths they bring, we commit to honoring the diverse experiences and contributions of non-binary individuals within our South Asian community, and fostering environments that celebrate authenticity and support healing.

Together, we can build inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive.

Experiencing domestic and gender based violence often leads to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Almost two thirds of survivors experience symptoms of PTSD, which can last years after experiencing harm.

Sakhi’s work extends far beyond crisis response. Mental health is incredibly important, especially for those who have experienced complex trauma and are navigating the realities of PTSD combined with cultural barriers and stigma.

Today is PTSD Awareness Day. Let’s honor all of those who are silently struggling, and work towards building a future with less domestic violence.

Sakhi for South Asian Survivors applauds the recent decision in United States v. Rahimi that upholds a federal law barring anyone subject to a domestic violence restraining order from possessing a gun. We stand in solidarity with survivors and call for continued efforts to address and prevent the dangers of weaponized violence. Read the full statement on our website!

Sakhi is heartbroken by the horrific loss of Vipanpal Multani, who was killed in an act of domestic violence in Richmond Hill, Queens.

The loss of life and the injury inflicted on the Multani Family is a stark reminder of the critical importance of addressing domestic violence within our communities.

Among South Asians in the U.S., 50% of the individuals lost to gender-based violence in 2022 died due to gun violence or homicide.

We stand in solidarity with all those affected and continue our commitment to creating safe and supportive environments for all individuals.

If you or someone you know needs assistance, please contact us at (212) 868-6741 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1 (800) 799-7233.

Join for a comedy show featuring at ! A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Sakhi.

Kutti Gang is a New York Times and Time Out New York recommended live comedy show hosted by Zubi Ahmed () and Pooja Reddy (). The duo has released a comedy special on PBS, headlined at Carolines on Broadway, and been featured at the New York Comedy Festival. Come check out their monthly show at 730PM on Sunday, June 23rd!

Link in bio to learn more and purchase tickets.

Our elders are the bridge between generations. They are a vital core of our communities. While World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was this past Saturday, we are dedicated to supporting elders in our community every day of the year. Join us in ensuring everyone, regardless of age, has access to the equity and safety they deserve.

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day! It's a call to action for communities, caregivers, and individuals to stand up against all forms of elder abuse and to ensure our elders are treated with dignity and respect. Learn the signs to look out for your loved ones, protect our seniors, promote their rights, and provide them with the safe and supportive environments they deserve.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, contact our Helpline: (212)-868-6741 (Mon-Sat, 10 am-10 pm).

Tomorrow is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the mistreatment and neglect faced by older adults around the world. Honor and protect our elders.

Learn about contributions to the LGBTQ+ movement from the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean diaspora!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Meet Urvashi Vaid and Vidyaratha Kissoon, two remarkable activists who have paved the way for LGBTQ+ rights. Urvashi's advocacy spanned over three decades, championing inclusivity and justice. Meanwhile, Vidyaratha fights for LGBTQ+ rights in the Caribbean, challenging stereotypes and fostering dialogue.

They are two of many activists, artists, and individuals from the diaspora who have and continue to champion equality for all.

-Caribbean

Did you know Pride Month owes its roots to trans women of color? ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
In June 1969, the Stonewall Riots rocked New York City. Led by trailblazers like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, this uprising ignited a global LGBTQ+ movement and changed history forever.

Join us this month in honoring their courage, celebrating the power of love and resistance, and examining how much work remains to be done.

Happy Pride Month! 🌈 Thank you, and community partners (, ), for hosting and marching in solidarity with us during the 2024 Queens Pride Parade. We will not be erased! ✊🏼

Thank you for adding an extra layer of luxury to our 35th Anniversary Gala! Your generosity in providing gift cards and exquisite gifts for our honorees truly made the evening special.

Love, Indus epitomizes opulence in skincare & wellness, blending treasures from the Indian subcontinent with New York’s cutting-edge technology to craft potent potions.

Please note that our helpline will resume regular hours on Saturday, April 27th (10:00am - 10:00pm ET). Thank you!

We also felt it was time for a color refresh to represent this next chapter at Sakhi. Welcome to Sakhi for South Asian Survivors and learn more about our journey at sakhi.org

Sakhi's 2023 Annual Report is now live on our website! ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We're pleased to report that Sakhi worked with 581 survivors, saw a 72% increase in engagement with our Economic Empowerment Program, and distributed over $1,000,000 in rental assistance for safe, independent housing.

Our work in our community remains urgently needed: our helpline providing services in over 7 South Asian languages experienced a significant increase in calls, a 132% spike compared to the previous year.

Link in bio to read the full report.

It's a privilege to announce our third honoree joining our Gala fireside chat: Oscar-nominated and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Nisha Pahuja. We had the opportunity to work with her as community partners on her powerful film To Kill A Tiger. We are inspired by her story-telling skills and honor her for bringing attention to the cultural issues survivors of sexual violence face.

Nisha Pahuja is based in Toronto. Her latest film, TO KILL A TIGER, had its world premiere at TIFF where it won the Amplify Voices Award for Best Canadian Feature Film. Since then, it’s won 27 awards including Best Documentary Feature, Palm Springs International Film Festival and three Canadian Screen awards. The film grew out of a long career of addressing various human rights issues, notably violence against women in India. In 2015, she won the Amnesty International media award for Canadian journalism after making a short film about the Delhi bus gang r**e for Global News.

Purchase Tickets: https://onecau.se/sakhigala2024

We’ve had the pleasure of working and collaborating with Mohamed and his team at Caribbean Equality Project and are honored to recognize his work with the Indo-Caribbean Q***r community. Join us on April 26 to watch our fireside chat with Mo! (Ticket Link Below).

Mohamed Q. Amin (he/they) is an Indo-Caribbean, Q***r, Muslim immigrant rights activist. A native of Guyana, he currently resides in Richmond Hill, Queens, NY. In response to anti-LGBTQ hate violence, in 2015 he founded the Caribbean Equality Project (CEP), a non-profit organization that advocates for Caribbean LGBTQ+ voices in New York City. Amin is a survivor, a cultural producer, and his transnational advocacy and community organizing are rooted in gender equity, racial justice, dismantling and decolonizing systems of oppression, healing, and ending anti-LGBTQ hate violence in the Caribbean diaspora.

Purchase Tickets: https://lnkd.in/e-tVBs8e

Actress & Producer Poorna Jagannathan has been a longtime supporter of Sakhi and we are honored that she is participating in our fireside chat at our upcoming gala, Threads of Transformation: Resist. Reclaim. Rise.

Join us on April 26th-Purchase tickets below!

Poorna is best known for the role of ‘Nalini’ in Netflix’s #1 hit comedy series NEVER HAVE I EVER, which is produced by Mindy Kaling. She recently wrapped production on Jon Watts’ Apple feature, WOLVES, opposite George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Additionally, she can be seen in the Happy Madison/Netflix comedy THE OUT-LAWS opposite Adam Devine, Pierce Brosnan, and Nina Dobrev; as well as, the film adaptation of TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN. Poorna first drew attention for her role in HBO’s Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated show, THE NIGHT OF, opposite Riz Ahmed.

Purchase Tickets: https://onecau.se/sakhigala2024

We're excited to share that we've received a $2 million gift from the Yield Giving Open Call! The - managed by - focused on elevating organizations working with people and in places experiencing the greatest need in the United States. We thank them for honoring our work with South Asian survivors of gender-based violence. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Learn more at the link in bio!

This year's International Women's Day campaign theme focuses on the crucial role of inclusion in achieving gender equality. It calls for all of us to unite and break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create safe environments for all women to be heard, valued and respected. We practice intersectional feminism and are on a mission for equality for all.

This year's International Women's Day campaign theme focuses on the crucial role of inclusion in achieving gender equality. It calls for all of us to unite and break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create safe environments for all women to be heard, valued, and respected. We practice intersectional feminism and are on a mission for equality for all.

🌟 Tickets on Sale Now! 🌟 🎟️ 🎉 Link in bio.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Friday, April 26, as we invite you to Sakhi's Gala - "Threads of Transformation: Resist. Reclaim. Rise."

Celebrate with us .nyc as we commemorate Sakhi's 35th Anniversary, a night filled with reflection on our survivor-led movement for gender justice.



Art by .captures