Founder’s Note
Chandni, a 28-year-old resident of Chvad Padi village in Rajasthan’s Alwar district, lives with her husband, father-in-law, and three young children, one son and two daughters. Coming from an economically marginalised background, Chandni has long defied gender stereotypes in her pursuit of financial independence and dignity.
A close ally of the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), Chandni has actively contributed to its program, both as a beneficiary and as a community volunteer. Her journey took a transformative turn when she became part of DEF’s Digital Didi program, an initiative designed to empower women with digital literacy and challenge social taboos.
Inducted into the program by Digital Didi Kanta, Chandni was introduced to the Telegram-based Learning Management System (LMS) Chatbot—an accessible platform created to promote digital learning among underserved communities. Alongside this, she was provided with a Smartpad—a biodegradable and eco-friendly menstrual hygiene product embedded with a QR code that grants access to a 100-hour digital literacy course.
As Chandni engaged with the program and explored the digital realm, her story began to resonate deeply within her community and with DEF’s wider mission. Through initiatives like Digital Didi, DEF continues to challenge the stigma surrounding menstruation while enabling adolescent girls and women like Chandni to access accurate information and take ownership of their health and rights.
Chandni’s growing confidence with digital tools and her dedication to community outreach make her a powerful example of how access, awareness, and agency can converge to spark real change in rural India.
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