Biography of Aditi Gupta: Co-Founder of Menstrupedia- Indian Entrepreneur
Journey of Aditi Gupta: Co-Founder of Menstrupedia Comic
Aditi Gupta, an Indian author and co-founder of Menstrupedia
Comic, has made significant contributions to menstrual health education. Along
with her husband, Tuhin Paul, Gupta co-founded Menstrupedia Comic in 2012.
Their initiative aims to address the lack of menstrual health awareness and
debunk myths associated with menstruation. In recognition of her impact, Aditi
was featured in Forbes India’s 30 Under 30 list in 2014.
Aditi Gupta has been the driving force behind Menstrupedia
since November 2012. As the Founder and Managing Director, she has dedicated
nearly 12 years to advancing menstrual education and women's health. Based in
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, her leadership in Menstrupedia underscores her
commitment to improving awareness and breaking taboos surrounding menstrual
health.
Early Life and Education
Born in Garhwa, Jharkhand, Aditi Gupta pursued engineering
before earning a post-graduate degree in new media design from the National
Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad. It was at NID that she met her husband,
Tuhin Paul. Both worked together on various projects and discovered a critical
need for improved menstrual health education. They observed that even among
educated individuals, there was a significant lack of awareness and prevalent
menstrual myths.
Academic and Research Foundations
Aditi’s career began with a focus on research. She served as
a Research Associate at the Ford Foundation from March 2009 to August 2009,
where she was involved in significant research initiatives. Her early
experiences in research and design laid the groundwork for her future
entrepreneurial endeavors and her role in Menstrupedia.
Biography of Aditi Gupta: Co-Founder of Menstrupedia- Indian Entrepreneur/ Journey of Aditi Gupta/Menstrual Health/Success Story of Aditi Gupta
Personal Experiences with Menstruation
Aditi Gupta began menstruating at the age of 12, but like
many students in India, she received formal education on the topic only at 15.
During this period, she faced numerous traditional restrictions, such as not
being allowed to enter places of worship or touch other people’s belongings.
Additionally, societal norms discouraged the use of sanitary napkins, which she
first bought at the age of 15, despite concerns about the impact on her
family's dignity. These personal experiences fueled her drive to create
Menstrupedia, aiming to provide accurate information and support to others
facing similar challenges.
Pioneering Work in Menstrual Education
Aditi Gupta co-founded Menstrupedia in 2012, a
groundbreaking initiative aimed at educating people about menstruation. Her
work has earned her a prominent spot on lists of leading social entrepreneurs.
Together with her husband, she developed the Menstrupedia Comic, an engaging
and informative guide designed to teach menstruation in a clear and
approachable way.
Early Career Exploration
Before diving into the world of menstrual health, Aditi
gained valuable experience in design and user experience. She worked as a User
Experience Designer at Nascent InfoTechnologies Pvt. Ltd. and Chemistree Media
& Communications Pvt. Ltd. from November 2011 to July 2012, where she honed
her skills in creating intuitive and engaging user interfaces. Prior to this
role, she spent nearly two years as a Visualizer Designer at LearningMate in Mumbai,
from January 2010 to October 2011, contributing her creative talents to various
design projects.
A Journey into Menstrual Health Awareness
The lack of education and awareness surrounding menstruation
drove her to spend a year researching the topic. During this time, she gathered
insights from both doctors and young girls, which inspired her to create a
comic book featuring three young girls and a doctor. This project was shared
through her website, www.talesofchange.in. In November 2012, alongside her
husband Paul, she launched Menstrupedia with the goal of increasing knowledge
and awareness about menstruation. What started as a thesis project at the
National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad evolved into a comprehensive platform
offering information on puberty and sexuality for pre-teens and teenagers.
Expanding Menstrupedia's Reach
Menstrupedia serves as a user-friendly resource for understanding
menstruation, hygiene, and puberty, aiming to dispel myths and present
information in a culturally sensitive and easily digestible format through
digital media. The website features comic books, blogs, a Q&A section, and
a "Learn" section. By 2018, the comics were available in fourteen
languages and had reached over 18 countries. Gupta tailored materials for
schools in five states in North India and received positive feedback from
schools in Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, and Ranchi. The initiative has also
partnered with Whisper India for campaigns like the Touch the Pickle movement,
involving celebrities such as Shraddha Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra. Her work
earned her a spot on Forbes India’s U-30 list.
Impact and Reach
Under Aditi Gupta’s leadership, Menstrupedia has become a
global leader in menstrual education. The comic has reached over 50,000 girls
directly, trained 10,000 educators, and touched the lives of 13 million girls
worldwide. Menstrupedia’s innovative approach, which uses storytelling and
sequential art, makes learning about periods both educational and enjoyable.
The comic is now used in over 25,500 schools across India and is available in
20 languages, impacting 23 countries globally. Its culturally sensitive
approach has been embraced by more than 150,000 Indian parents.
Global Recognition and Impact
Menstrupedia has successfully integrated menstrual health
education into school curriculums, earning widespread acclaim from educators,
parents, and students. Today, the platform enjoys global recognition, having
been translated into multiple languages to broaden its reach. Aditi Gupta's
unwavering dedication to promoting menstrual health has played a crucial role
in driving social change and building a more inclusive society.
Overcoming Challenges and Valuable Lessons
Aditi Gupta's journey has been marked by significant
challenges. Addressing the deeply rooted taboos surrounding menstruation
demanded considerable dedication and resilience. Nevertheless, her steadfast
commitment enabled her to overcome these hurdles and make a meaningful impact.
Throughout her journey, Aditi learned the importance of open dialogue and
creating safe spaces for discussing menstrual health. She also discovered the
value of empathy and actively listening to others' experiences, which enriched
her understanding of the issue.
Recognition and Achievements
Aditi Gupta has received significant recognition for her
efforts to challenge menstrual taboos. In 2014, she was named to Forbes India’s
30 Under 30 list. She is also a TED speaker, a UN Goalkeeper, and was featured
in BBC’s 100 Women. Additionally, she was honored as one of the “Most
Influential Women” by BW Business World Magazine.
Impact and Reach
Menstrupedia attracts around one lakh visitors each month.
The comic books have been utilized by various NGOs, including Protsahan and
Munshi Jagannath Bhagwan Smriti Sansthan, as well as by Buddhist monasteries in
Ladakh, further extending their impact and reach.
A timeline summarizing Aditi Gupta’s career and
achievements:
1980: Born in Garhwa, Jharkhand, India.
2006: Graduates with an engineering degree.
2009: Earns a post-graduate degree in New Media Design from
the National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad, where she meets Tuhin
Paul.
March 2009 - August 2009: Works as a Research Associate at
the Ford Foundation.
January 2010 - October 2011: Serves as a Visualizer Designer
at LearningMate in Mumbai.
November 2011 - July 2012: Works as a User Experience
Designer at Nascent InfoTechnologies Pvt. Ltd. and Chemistree Media & Communications
Pvt. Ltd.
November 2012: Co-founds Menstrupedia Comic with her
husband, Tuhin Paul, aiming to address menstrual health education and debunk
myths associated with menstruation.
2014: Menstrupedia Comic gains prominence and Aditi Gupta is
featured in Forbes India’s 30 Under 30 list.
2018: Menstrupedia comics are available in fourteen
languages and reach over 18 countries. The initiative partners with Whisper
India for the Touch the Pickle movement.
2019: Menstrupedia’s comic is used in over 25,500 schools
across India and is available in 20 languages, impacting 23 countries globally.
It reaches over 50,000 girls directly and trains 10,000 educators.
2020: Autism Rocks, the NGO founded by Aditi in 2014, ceases
operations in February amidst the ongoing tax fraud investigation against her
husband, Tuhin Paul.
2014: Named in Forbes India’s 30 Under 30 list.
2015: Aditi Gupta is a TED speaker.
2018: Featured in BBC’s 100 Women.
2020: Honored as one of the “Most Influential Women” by BW Business World Magazine.
2023: Menstrupedia attracts around 100,000 visitors each
month and continues to make an impact through various NGOs and educational
institutions.
