Before 2025 World TB Day, I spent a day accompanying TB-affected street activists (TASA) in Delhi, women who assist homeless women and female migrant workers in finding TB services. It was an intense experience, connecting with women battling gender inequalities and surviving. Homelessness or migrant status significantly increases TB risk and gender-based suffering.

TB and Gender Inequalities Affect Both: Career and the Person Being Cared For I recall a powerful encounter with a TB-affected woman supporting others through treatment. Her story highlights the importance of advocacy and community support for homeless women, empowering them to act against TB and assert their rights. As Samantha Power said, “All advocacy is, at its core, an exercise in empathy.”

Empathy Binds Women to Stop TB

Jyoti's story is one of resilience. Daughter of a vegetable vendor, she graduated from Delhi University and is pursuing further education while working. She experienced TB firsthand when her sister suffered from it in 2019, navigating misdiagnosis and expensive treatment.

“We spent INR 1.5 lakh (about USD 1721) on her treatment with borrowed money. But we could save her life, and she was cured of TB.”

Never Say Die Attitude

Jyoti faced immense challenges, particularly after her mother's death in 2022. Despite financial hardship, she began working while continuing her education, determined to fulfill her mother's dream.

“When she was gone, our lives were broken. We are now slowly coming to terms with her loss. Right after completing my class 12, I started working in a call centre as our financial condition was not good. My father had said that if I wanted to study, I would have to bear the expenses myself. But come what may, I was determined to fulfil my mother's dream of becoming a teacher. Currently I am the sole bread winner of the family,” Jyoti shared with me.

Finding Light in Helping Others

Jyoti became a TASA in August 2024, surveying areas, organising health camps, and assisting with government procedures. She helps people obtain essential documents and encourages them to take control of their lives.

“We TASAs do survey work in our allotted areas, looking for homeless people with TB symptoms and also asking the

people about their needs. We hold health camps to mobilise the homeless persons of our area. In these health camps, doctors do free health checkups and provide free medicines. We also help people navigate the hospital system (and other government systems). We help them get their identity cards and other documents made, without which they cannot avail the existing government facilities.

The Power of Collective Support

Reena, living in a threatened Delhi slum, was diagnosed with TB in 2010, interrupting her treatment due to neglect. After 14 years, her symptoms returned severely in June 2024. Fortunately, she met Jyoti, a TASA with Humana People to People India, during a “Saheli Support Group” meeting.

Jyoti recognised Reena's symptoms and took her to government clinics. Despite initial negative test results, Jyoti persisted, securing a positive diagnosis and initiating treatment. She also helped Reena access financial support through the “Nikshay Poshan Yojna.”

Saheli Support Group Meetings

Weekly Saheli Support Group meetings educate women on TB and other health issues, fostering empowerment and knowledge sharing. They address challenges like unequal wages and discrimination, encouraging women to advocate for their rights.

“These meetings have yielded good results by way of general empowerment and knowledge sharing among the homeless and migrant women. They are now capable of getting birth certificate, Aadhar unique identification card, etc, made themselves without any help,” she added.

Jyoti finds immense satisfaction in helping vulnerable women. Her message is clear: respect and support all lives, regardless of education or economic status.

“I get a lot of gratification by deploying my skills as a social worker with Human People to People India” said Jyoti. Jyoti's message to all women is: “One must be educated, but we must respect even those who are not educated.

— By Shobha Shukla  (The author is the award-winning founding Managing Editor and Executive Director of Citizen News Service)