Lankan Trade Unionist, Trans Rights Activist From India Win Kamla Bhasin Awards
Lalitha Ranjani and Sunil Mohan honored with Kamla Bhasin Award for promoting gender equality in South Asia.
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Lalitha Ranjani, a Sri Lankan trade union activist and Sunil Mohan, Bengaluru-based advocate of trans rights are among the recipients of the 2024 Kamla Bhasin Awards for driving gender equality across south Asia presented on 30 November at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.
Organised by the Azad Foundation, iPartner India, and the National Foundation for India, this is the third installment of the awards named after feminist icon Kamla Bhasin who was among the pioneers of the women rights movement in south Asia.
A special jury also recognised Jaya Chakma from Bangladesh and Nikhil Taneja from India for their efforts in the field.
About the Awardees
Lalitha Ranjani: Lalitha is a trailblazing trade union activist from Sri Lanka who has spent decades organising and empowering women in the garment sector.
"I have worked for 30 years now, and winning this award has given me the courage to continue with my trade union work. So far, I have faced challenges successfully with the strength of my family and a group of strong-willed women around me," Lalitha said as she received the award.
As the founder and Chief Organiser of the Textile Garment and Clothing Workers Union (TGCWU), the first women-led trade union in Sri Lanka, she has established a strong presence for women’s leadership in industrial zones, building a membership of over 1,500 workers.
Sunil Mohan: Sunil, a trans man and former captain of the Kerala women’s cricket team, has dedicated over 20 years to advocating for gender equity and trans rights in India. Based in Bengaluru, he has transformed lives through legal advocacy, crisis intervention, and community-based initiatives, impacting over 3,000 individuals.
“I don’t want others to face the struggles I’ve faced because of my identity. This is why I began working on these issues," he said at the ceremony.
Sunil’s vision includes establishing a queer café to foster dialogue and creative expression for the trans community.
Jaya Chakma: Jaya, Bangladesh’s first and only FIFA-accredited female football referee and coach, is a pioneer for women in sports. Coming from the minority Chakma tribe, Jaya has shattered societal barriers to create opportunities for women in football.
While receiving the award, she said: “The main challenge I face even today is the tendency of people not accepting me. However, there is no gender discrimination in my field of work. As a football coach and referee, I can teach both men and women. Being a woman referee doesn’t stop me from showing a red card in a men’s tournament. Receiving the Kamla Bhasin Award feels like earning a degree."
As a coach at the Bangladesh Krira Shikha Protishthan (BKSP), she has led her teams to multiple victories and continues to inspire young girls, especially those from minority communities, to break into male-dominated fields.
Nikhil Taneja: Nikhil, a Mumbai-based public speaker, writer, and the CEO of Yuvaa, has been a relentless advocate for mental health and gender sensitivity among Indian youth. Through his video chat show "Be A Man, Yaar", and his extensive campus outreach across over 100 institutions, Nikhil challenges toxic masculinity and fosters a culture of positive masculinity, making young boys feel less lonely and more empowered.
"I have immense respect for Kamla Bhasin. She made significant contributions to the feminist movement in India, and being associated with an award in her name is both an honour and a responsibility," Nikhil said.