Transformative empowerment is mostly not given by ‘experts from the outside,’ but happens when the most affected people themselves rise to take back power to transform their lives and wellbeing. “When we put people first, then we cannot just address one or two issues they face,” rightly says Amrita Sarkar of India HIV/AIDS Alliance who has worked on a range of issues related to transgender people since last 23 years. “When I was working in rural Odisha with transgender communities years back on HIV prevention, I remember one of them told me that ‘they do have access to condoms, but can I give them education or help with income’? By giving them support for non-formal education or increasing their income generation options, our healthcare programmes will also become more effective,” said Amrita.