Aradhana Rai Gupta Is Building A Menstrual Health Movement Across India

Aradhana Rai Gupta's social enterprise Baala was founded in 2018, and has grown into a dynamic menstrual health initiative built on innovation, accessibility and dignity. Through its unique approach that combines product development, community engagement and research-driven solutions, the organisation is reshaping how menstrual health is understood and supported across India and Africa.

Aradhana’s work has been honoured with the Digital Women Award 2025, acknowledging the transformative impact her leadership continues to create.

Aradhana Rai Gupta: Digital Women Awards 2025

STP: What is Baala and the vision behind it?

Aradhana: Baala is a social organisation working to ensure that girls and women never miss out on opportunities because of their period. We work across three key areas: community engagement, capacity building and the Baala Action Lab.

Our efforts focus on access, awareness and agency. This includes providing sustainable menstrual products, conducting workshops, training educators and innovating on products and learning tools.

We conduct grassroots workshops, train local health educators and create products and research-based content to make menstrual health education accessible and relatable.

We have reached more than 1.2 million women and girls across India and Africa. Our long-term vision is a world where menstruation is not a barrier but a conversation rooted in dignity, equity and opportunity.

STP: What is your business model?

Aradhana: Baala operates on a hybrid enterprise model that combines community impact with financial sustainability.

Our work spans three interconnected pillars that allow us to deliver menstrual health solutions at scale while continuously innovating and reinvesting in long-term change.

Community Engagement:
We collaborate with NGOs, corporates and government bodies to implement menstrual health programs in schools, workplaces and rural communities. 

Capacity Building: We train educators, health workers, and youth leaders through our Baala Digital Campus and offline Training of Trainers modules.

Innovation and Research: Through the Baala Action Lab, we co-create new products, curricula, and digital tools, supported by corporate collaborations and research grants.

Our revenue comes from partnerships, training programs and consulting services. Every profit generated is reinvested into expanding access, enhancing our training systems and deepening research. This keeps Baala financially sustainable while remaining committed to systemic change in menstrual health and hygiene.

STP: What are your plans and opportunities for growing your initiative?

Aradhana: The future of Baala is rooted in creating lasting social change through community-driven action supported by digital innovation. Our next phase focuses on expanding the digital training platform to train more than one lakh menstrual health champions. These champions will raise awareness, dismantle taboos and build local support ecosystems in schools, communities and workplaces.

Through the Baala Action Lab, we will continue innovating products, research and storytelling to make menstrual health education accessible, relatable and evidence-based.

Digital tools will enable us to reach women and girls across varying geographies, ensuring that every individual has access to information, support and opportunities to thrive. We aim to transform menstrual health from a silent struggle into a shared movement that strengthens dignity, livelihoods and equity for millions.

STP: In what ways do technology and digital tools contribute to the growth, efficiency and overall success of your organisation?

Aradhana: Technology is central to how Baala scales its impact, improves efficiency and strengthens community connections. While our work begins in villages, schools and workplaces, it grows through the use of digital tools that help us reach further, measure better and communicate more effectively.

We use technology across every stage of our model, from program design and delivery to impact assessment and storytelling. Our training programs use digital toolkits, e learning modules and visual content that can be adapted across regions and languages. This ensures consistency and accessibility even in low resource settings.

For research and monitoring, we rely on data driven systems. Mobile based surveys, cloud dashboards and digital mapping help us gather real time feedback from the field. This strengthens program efficiency and enables evidence based decision making and policy advocacy.

In the Baala Action Lab, technology supports innovation. We work on product prototypes using sustainable materials and analyse behavioural patterns around menstrual health through online data and digital ethnography. These insights help us design interventions that are locally relevant and globally scalable.

We also use digital media for awareness and community building. Storytelling, social campaigns and digital collaborations help us normalise menstrual conversations and create communities of awareness and dialogue on platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn and WhatsApp.

Technology allows Baala to replicate successful models, measure impact with precision and build an ecosystem of changemakers connected through shared purpose. It helps us turn awareness into action and innovation into inclusion.