Soudamini Network of Positive Women & Children

Ujwala is an activist who has lived with HIV since 1995. She has dedicated over 25 years of advocacy to the rights of HIV positive people at the local, state, and national level to reduce stigma and discrimination. Through her organization, she promotes HIV/AIDS awareness and facilitates care and support services for HIV positive and transgender people. Her advocacy strategy is centered around providing an HIV/STI screening facility, access to antiretroviral medicine, and basic nutrition to vulnerable populations in Pune. She is also creating work opportunities for people living with HIV by implementing a migrant worker project funded by the Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society.

Ujwala was actively involved in the process of framing and advocacy of the HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control bill. She was also a committee member of National Institutes of Health-US Health Ministry clinical research for HIV and tuberculosis.

Rise Up Cohort: India 2019