Today’s election outcome is deeply disheartening for our community. This result fails women, fails immigrant communities, fails the queer community, and fails survivors. Once again, our most vulnerable communities face a future clouded by policies and rhetoric that strip away essential protections and isolate those most in need of support. For South Asian, Indo-Caribbean, and immigrant survivors, this marks a return to a landscape of fear, diminished rights, and limited access to justice and safety.
We had hoped this election might be a historic moment—a chance to see the first Black and South Asian American woman elected to the highest office in the country. Instead, we are reminded of the deeply entrenched systems that resist change, especially when that change is represented by women of color.
While there were historic gains last night—Angela Alsobrooks and Lisa Blunt Rochester will be the first two Black women to serve together in the Senate, Sarah McBride becomes the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, and New York has voted to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution—the overarching message of the election is clear. Our country is moving in ways that undermine the safety, rights, and dignity of so many: women, immigrants, queer and transgender individuals, BIPOC communities, and survivors of violence. These historic wins are inspiring, but they also highlight the stark contrast between moments of progress and the pervasive injustices that persist.
For many, this outcome reopens wounds inflicted by policies from the last administration. We remember the pain of the Muslim Travel Ban, the surge in hate crimes, and the dismantling of reproductive rights that culminated in the rollback of Roe v. Wade. For immigrant and BIPOC survivors, those years meant navigating systems where even seeking help could lead to detention, deportation, or worse. The scars left from those years remind us that these were not isolated incidents but deliberate attacks on our rights, autonomy, and existence.
Now, we face the possibility of those harms extending further—into every aspect of healthcare, bodily autonomy, and safety. Access to essential services like gender-affirming care and support for survivors of gender-based violence is again under threat. The harsh reality is that this outcome reinforces a system designed to keep marginalized communities—especially women, queer individuals, immigrants, and survivors—trapped in cycles of fear and disenfranchisement. This is not just a policy choice; it is an assault on our fundamental human rights.
As a survivor justice organization, we understand that the struggle for justice is ongoing and often marked by setbacks. But that does not make this moment any less painful or less unjust. The barriers to progress for survivors, for immigrants, for those who dare to challenge the status quo, are as formidable as ever. The fact that we are still fighting for basic protections and representation in a time that should be defined by progress is both infuriating and heartbreaking.
At Sakhi, we know the weight of this moment. We understand the fear, the anger, and the exhaustion that accompany each blow to our collective rights and safety. But we are prepared for the road ahead. For those of you who feel the impact of these harmful policies, who are grappling with rising violence, or who fear what may come next, please know that Sakhi is here for you. We will continue to provide resources, support, and advocacy to help our community navigate these challenging times.
This difficult moment is a call to action to invest in feminist movements, community-based organizations, and coalitions. The next four years will likely bring more waves of racism, sexism, and xenophobia. To withstand these challenges, we must stand together and support organizations on the frontlines of the fight for justice, dignity, and equality. This is not just a call for support; it is a call to action. Our resilience is powerful, but we must fortify it through collective action and solidarity.
To our Sakhi community: we have faced adversity before, and we have come through it together. We know that safety, healing, and liberation are not just ideals but rights worth fighting for. Let us hold on to each other, draw strength from our shared vision, and continue to push for the world we know is possible.
This moment is painful, but we will endure it together—drawing strength from one another and holding firm in our commitment to a more just future.
In Solidarity,
Kavita Mehra | Executive Director