SnehAI, ASHA workers, and sexual health and wellness influencers are breaking barriers and making vital information more accessible for girls and women
International Literacy Day (ILD) is observed annually on September 8, reaffirming literacy as a fundamental human right and reminding policymakers and the public of its crucial role in promoting justice, peace, and equality.
Since its first observance in 1967, literacy has come to include broader ideas of empowerment, rights, and inclusion. One important dimension is sexual and reproductive health literacy, the ability to understand and communicate about sexuality safely and responsibly. It is central to comprehensive education, enabling especially women and girls to make informed choices, access health services, and exercise their rights.
Here are three trusted sources of sexual and reproductive health literacy in India.
An Overview:
1. SnehAI
Population Foundation of India launched ‘Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon’ (MKBKSH) in 2014 as an entertainment-education initiative to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment, and health-seeking behaviour. In 2019, under the same programme, it introduced SnehAI, a free chatbot on Facebook Messenger. Modelled on Dr. Sneha, the lead character of the MKBKSH series, offers verified information on sexual and reproductive health, online safety, and other sensitive subjects.
The chatbot serves as a personalised, non-judgmental companion for young people, clarifying doubts on a wide range of topics, including virginity, contraception, puberty, mental health, consent, gender-based violence, same-sex attraction, masturbation, grooming and cyberbullying, among many other issues.
Since its launch, SnehAI has engaged 1,36,000 active users, facilitated over 8.6 million conversations, and reached more than 22 million people through online outreach, making it one of the most effective chatbots of its kind. Future enhancements for SnehAI include the integration of full voice capabilities to enable voice-based interactions, making the platform more accessible and engaging for a wider audience.
2. ASHA workers
The Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) programme was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) under India’s National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).
The objective was to link marginalised communities with the public healthcare system, with the aim of having one ASHA in every village. Selected from within their own communities, ASHAs act as trusted guides on maternal, child, and reproductive health. They counsel women on safe deliveries, breastfeeding, family planning, and infection prevention, while also mobilising communities for immunisation, sanitation, and nutrition initiatives.
In addition to awareness, they distribute essential supplies such as ORS, IFA tablets, contraceptives, and delivery kits. Supported by village health committees, Anganwadi workers, and regular training, ASHAs play a vital role in helping rural households access essential health services. Embedded in their communities, they remain the backbone of India’s rural healthcare system.
3. Sexual Health & Wellness Influencers
In the digital age, influencers play a significant role in raising awareness about sexual health. Acknowledging the importance of open conversations, a growing number of digital educators, from doctors to health advocates, are actively shaping sexual and reproductive health literacy.
Notable figures include Dr. Tanaya Narendra (popularly known as Dr. Cuterus), Leeza Mangaldas, Seema Anand, Karishma Swarup, and Pallavi Barnwal. They use platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and podcasts to simplify discussions on pleasure, consent, menstruation, reproductive health, and non-normative sexuality, often addressing audiences in regional languages.
In India, Dr. Cuterus has been recognised as Health Influencer of the Year, while Leeza Mangaldas has launched a bilingual podcast and a wellness brand to reach wider audiences. Seema Anand, meanwhile, is the author of ‘The Arts of Seduction: The 21st Century Guide to Having the Greatest Sex of Your Life’.