Devendra Kumar on Women’s Safety, Menstrual Taboos & AI Toilets | Ep 305 | The Mohua Show

What does women’s empowerment really mean when girls still face child marriage, menstrual stigma and unsafe sanitation? On this episode of The Mohua Show, podcast host Mohua Chinappa speaks with Devendra Kumar, founder of Ladli Foundation, about his extraordinary journey from childhood poverty and child labour to building an organisation working for women, girls and underserved communities.

In this episode, we discuss:
How Devendra’s childhood experiences shaped his mission to protect and empower girls.
How AI-integrated toilets use smart sensors and automated alerts to improve sanitation and accountability in schools.
Why menstrual health remains surrounded by stigma and misconceptions.
The challenges of working with government systems and communities to drive social change.
How technology-facilitated gender-based violence affects young people.
Why financial and digital literacy are essential for women’s independence.

What this episode is really about:
Beyond infrastructure and awareness campaigns, meaningful social change requires accountability, community engagement and a shift in mindsets. Devendra shares lessons from grassroots work, challenging us to rethink women’s safety, dignity and empowerment.
If you’re interested in women’s empowerment, gender equality, social entrepreneurship, leadership and success stories, inspirational audio stories, and podcasts for personal growth, this conversation offers insights into the realities behind social change.