High Commission of Canada and Sambhali Trust Empowering 300 Lives in Rajasthan
Sambhali Trust is driving a direct and powerful change across Rajasthan since 2017, a mission which has been significantly reinforced by the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) program, of the High Commission of Canada. This collaboration provides the essential resources to execute the project Empowering Marginalized Women, Girls, and LGBTQ+ Individuals in Rajasthan through Education, Vocational Training, Healing and Rights-Based Advocacy.
This is focused action, designed to impact 300 individuals. This number includes women, adolescent girls, and members of the LGBTQ+ community in Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Setrawa. These are the people who face the most extreme social and economic barriers, a reality underscored by national data: the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21) found that 31.9% of married women aged 18–49 in India have experienced spousal violence.
The support is immediate and tangible. Sambhali Trust is delivering daily classes across 8 Empowerment Centres. These sessions teach vocational skills like stitching and embroidery alongside essential computer literacy and language skills in English and Hindi. This training builds the concrete skills necessary for these individuals to earn an income and secure economic independence.
As the founder of Sambhali Trust, Govind Singh Rathore said: “Without the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives a lot would not have been possible here for the women, children and gender minorities the organisation is serving”.
Sufiya Khan, Manager of the Garima Project and member of the LGBTQI+ community reflected: “Thanks to the support of CFLI, I am here today. I feel very good about this great opportunity to be working for my community. We will always continue to work for them regarding government documents and legal cases, and we will always stand together to connect them with the society of India.”
“Canada is proud to support Sambhali Trust through the CFLI, reflecting our shared commitment to inclusive development, gender equality, and sustainable, community-led solutions. We are pleased to partner with this initiative and commend their efforts to strengthen community engagement and resilience. Canada remains committed to working alongside local leaders to help build a more equitable and just future for local communities.”
For those experiencing gender-based violence, the project funds vital services. This includes access to trauma-informed counselling, immediate legal aid, and secure temporary shelter. The work also strengthens rights awareness. Through community workshops, participants learn about gender rights, legal protections, and LGBTQ+ inclusion. This knowledge is the foundation of self-advocacy.
The CFLI commitment ensures the Sambhali Trust can maintain this essential structure, providing dignity and security for hundreds of individuals. This work directly advances the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals, specifically for Good Health and Well-being, for Quality Education, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and towards Reduced Inequalities. This adherence to a global framework reinforces the significance of the Trust’s UN ECOSOC Status.