A 2019 study revealed that 23 million girls in India annually leave school because of menstruation-related challenges. Given the passage of time since then, this figure might have risen in the subsequent four years. For those reading, this is not merely a figure. It's a glaring call to address issues like social exclusion, lack of menstrual awareness, and stigma. In several rural Indian communities, menstruation is more than a biological process. It's a clandestine event, one that is buried under the veil of deep cultural silence. Meet Megha Desai, President of the Desai Foundation, who has been working relentlessly for the last 15 years to break this silence, reshape perspectives, challenge traditional norms, and empower young girls and women to own their bodies without shame or fear.

Desai, who grew up in a quintessential suburb of Massachusetts, says her foray into menstrual equity began unexpectedly. While running a health and livelihood initiative in India, she and her team were out interacting with the people in a rural community. Finding school-going girls home she wondered, ‘Why aren’t they attending the school?’ and the response she got was, ‘Because there are no washrooms there.’ While Desai knew that this wasn’t uncommon, what she did realize at that moment was how grave the situation was. And then, she read a statistic that said 71% of the girls in India don’t know what their period is until the day they get it. “I couldn’t believe my eyes initially, but after I confirmed it from a couple of people, it turned out to be true,” says the Indian American.

Rural women with Asani Sanitary Napkins

It was more baffling for Desai because despite growing up in a progressive household, she, too, grappled with the stigmas around menstruation. “I remember not being allowed to pray or go to the temple when I was bleeding, and I had a tough time comprehending why. This, actually, made me reflect that if someone as empowered and modern as I am can face such a challenge, what would it be like for women and young girls who live in the tribal and rural parts of India, those marked by silence, shame, discrimination and lack of awareness?” The thought was stirring enough for Desai to address taboos around menstruation and build a solution for it. She understood that addressing these issues could transform the lives of several young girls.

After years of hard work, the Desai Foundation runs one of India's most comprehensive menstrual equity programs today. The program follows a four-pronged approach, which includes 1) Education on menstrual health, 2) De-stigmatization, 3) Acceptability and Accessibility, and 4) Production of sanitary pads called the Asani sanitary napkins. With Megha Desai at the helm of affairs, the organization has impacted over 5 million lives and spread across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Secretary Clinton addresses the 40 Heroes in Desai Foundation's Heroes for Humanity Initiative

Beyond menstrual equity, the foundation also focuses on ‘Health & Livelihood’. It regularly conducts health screening camps, offers vocational training in sewing, beautician, English language and computer skills, and teaches entrepreneurship. “We empower women to use their skills to enhance their incomes,” says Desai.

A distinctive aspect of the Desai Foundation's journey is its organic growth. They take pride in not following a conventional predetermined expansion strategy and instead have been invited into every state they have entered. When the Desai Foundation was first established, its primary objectives were health, livelihood, and promoting South Asian culture. In 2010, Megha Desai joined the foundation. Under her leadership, the foundation transformed in terms of mission, vision, operations, and outreach, evolving into a dynamic public organization focusing on health, livelihood, and menstrual equity. Today, the foundation remains deeply committed to its core verticals and also directs its efforts into areas like mental health and environmental preparedness.

Despite bringing some noteworthy changes, Desai doesn’t see herself as a traditional philanthropist. She calls herself someone who works in the non-profit sector. She loves collaborating with several donors and philanthropists across the US & India to implement the programs. While discussing how she balances entrepreneurship and philanthropy, she says, “It is true that I once ran a company, but I sunsetted that to focus all my energy on the Desai Foundation. My entrepreneurial interest is more in spirit. And I balance philanthropy and entrepreneurship by identifying a problem and building a potential solution. That’s why, at the Desai Foundation, we experiment a lot. And hire folks from diverse backgrounds.”

Before taking up a more independent role, Desai spent approximately 13 years in the advertising industry. She holds a B.A. in Economics from Columbia University and earned the Executive Program in Social Entrepreneurship from the prestigious Stanford Business School. She is a passionate singer and has performed with several renowned names in the music industry. Since childhood, music has played a crucial role in Desai's life, bridging the cultural gap and connecting her to her ancestral roots. As she grew up, she realized that for the South Asian diaspora, especially the younger generation, there was an ever-increasing gap in cultural understanding and appreciation. This nudged her to carry the love of music to her foundation. Every year, the Desai Foundation organizes events that bring the South Asian community closer to their culture. The most anticipated is New York City's longest-running Diwali festival,' Diwali on the Hudson.' Brimming with music, dance, and food, the grand celebration invites South Asians and other communities to experience Indian culture. Desai proudly notes, "About 40% of attendees are non-South Asians, underscoring our commitment to bringing a touch of India to New York."