Kiran Gandhi made international headlines in 2015 when she made the courageous decision to run the London Marathon while freebleeding to start a global conversation about menstrual stigma and the shame and secrecy often associated with periods.
That was just the beginning of her advocacy journey. Since then, she’s launched a music career (under the name Madame Gandhi) that celebrates gender liberation and personal power, led international climate and environmental initiatives, and been honored with a spot on both the Forbes 30 Under 30 and the BBC 100 Women.
She also actively supports projects that promote gender equality in the music industry, through collaborations with organizations like Gender Amplified, She Is The Music, Equalize Her, and We Make Noise.
Kiran Ghandi’s bold advocacy for menstrual equity and commitment to creating a more equitable world make her an ally that we at Global Catalyst are proud to celebrate. Her belief in speaking out for what you believe in is the spirit that fuels our own global programs — and we’re thrilled to share her advice and insights with girls around the world.
In the latest edition of our new Q&A, The Ally Series, we caught up with Kiran to hear her reflections on the power of finding your voice, where she’s taking her advocacy work next, and the advice she has for girls who want to speak up, but aren’t quite sure where to begin.
Here’s what she had to say:
What does being an ally mean to you, and how do you make an intentional effort to show up for girls and women?
As a young person who loves music, I always felt really cared for and seen when adults and mentors would invest their time and energy in teaching me their music skills. It was because others believed in me that I gained the confidence to take myself seriously as a drummer or public speaker.
As a result, in my career today, I devote a lot of my time to hosting writing camps for women and girls in music and speaking out about issues that directly affect young women and girls.
When did you realize your voice could create change, and how have you used it to speak up for something you believe in?
When I was 9 years old, on the tennis court in India, I noticed that the male instructor was underestimating me in comparison to the other boy athletes. I remember putting my racket up in the air and just saying the word “feminism,” because I knew I was just as capable of hitting a strong shot back to the coach.
It was my earliest year that I found my voice and understood that I had resonance with others and had a gift with words and speaking.
In 2015, when I ran the London marathon while free bleeding to combat menstrual stigma, I learned once again the power of using your voice to change people’s perspective and unite people for an important cause.
Over the last 10 years, as a result of many destigmatization efforts, we have seen menstrual health education and innovation grow exponentially, which gives me a lot of hope and joy.
This is why we keep doing this work.
Can you share a meaningful moment in your advocacy journey that reinforced why this work matters to you? What did you learn from that experience?
In 2017, I performed at Roskilde Festival in Denmark, and a young woman in my audience told me that one of my songs inspired her to run for office to destigmatize menstruation and expand public access to menstrual care products.
A year later, she emailed me and said that she did get elected, and has expanded public access to tampons and pads by 10% in her hometown.
It gave me joy that my love for music and her love for politics worked in tandem to have a meaningful impact. This is why we do what we do.
What is something girls or young women have taught you that has influenced the way you live, lead, or advocate?
Young girls are free! My partner has three young girls. They are fun, playful, and full of various emotions. They love to dance, and they are wildly expressive.
Hanging with young women reminds me what we are capable of, and the essence we are trying to preserve in youth, even as they grow up.
What is one piece of advice you would give a girl who has an idea for change, but isn’t yet confident enough to act on it?
Small acts of bravery make a big difference.
You don’t have to do the thing that makes you tremble with fear, but it is a good thing to train your bravery in small increments over time.
That might look like sharing something that matters to you online, galvanizing your friends around a cause, or protesting for a local issue that matters to you. Whatever you choose, just GO FOR IT!
What’s next for you, and what impact do you hope to make in your community and beyond?
On August 14th, my new mantra meditation album, “EKTA,” was released, which drew inspiration from my Indian roots and continued my commitment to using lyrics and music to affirm positive change on the planet.
On the album, some of my music meditations address the themes of sustainability, respecting Mother Nature, and taking care of yourself. These are all themes I would tell my own daughter.
I hope you enjoy the album.
Ready to meet more inspiring changemakers? Check out, “Director Pink on Breaking Through and Lifting Other Women Up.”
Global Catalyst mentors girls around the world to become powerful advocates and confident leaders. Our signature program, GLOW Club, connects girls in some of the world’s most underserved areas with trusted local mentors and a safe space to express themselves as they develop their agency, find their voice, and build their power. Since our founding, we’ve ignited the power of more than 100,000 girls, sparking a growing movement of youth-led change that is transforming communities — and the world — for the better.
