Empowering Women’s Health while Navigating Mumbai’s Socioeconomic Terrain

Sathvika Gandavarapu interned at the Myna Mahila Foundation in Mumbai, India, founded by Suhani Jalota, a former Duke Alum. The foundation, dedicated to women’s health, conducted research on economic empowerment, provided health services, and employed women to create menstrual pads in impoverished regions of Mumbai. Sathvika worked with the Health Vertical and the Myna app, focusing on a menstrual tracker and videos covering physical, aspirational, and mental health topics. Researching over 30 topics, content was verified with doctors and contributed to creating Hindi-language videos benefiting over 600,000 women on the app. In addition, Sathvika shadowed four trainees in the Khar and Govandi areas, pitching the app to 15+ women.

Through the experience, Sathvika gained insights into Mumbai’s unique blend of poorer and wealthier areas, coexisting without division within the city. The juxtaposition of blue tents indicating poorer areas, often just 100 feet from upscale establishments like Starbucks, revealed a surprising and kinder atmosphere.