VITHIKA YADAV

A human rights activist with a focus on empowering children and women.

The Managing Director of Designathon Work and child protection expert with Purple Foundation, Vithika is also the Co-founder and Head of Love Matters India, the country’s foremost digital platform on sexual and reproductive health. Additionally, she established TeenBook, India’s first life skills education resource for teens, parents and educators.

As the Co-founder and Head of Love Matters India, she has been at the forefront of providing comprehensive and honest information on sexual and reproductive health and rights to young people in India. Through her leadership, Love Matters India has received national and international recognition for its innovative approach and impact. Vithika is also the Founder of TeenBook, India’s first digital resource hub for teenagers, parents, and educators, providing a safe space for young people to access information and learn important life skills.

With her expertise in human-centered design and strategic partnerships, Vithika has played a key role in shaping thought leadership and setting standards of promising practices in the field of sexual health and rights.

She has previously worked with Free the Slaves, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, BBC Media action, and MTV EXIT on programs nationally and internationally. As a Design Thinker and alumna of THNK School of Creative Leadership in Amsterdam, Vithika brings a unique and innovative approach to her work, while also serving as Chair of the Global Advisory Board on Sexual Health and Well-being, powered by Durex. 

Vithika is also one of the first 40 founding members of the Indian Women Social Entrepreneurs Network (IWSEN), and she has delivered inspiring talks at TEDx Dubai, IIT Roorkee, Switchpoint USA, JoshTalks, TEDxJIET, SIMS Punet and The Hague Academy among many others. Vithika was featured in the award-winning Swiss-German documentary #Female Pleasure, highlighting her role as one of the select global women leaders working on sexuality and sexual health issues in patriarchal and conservative societies.

Vithika Yadav has brought innovative approaches to SRHR issues, such as launching India’s first Virtual Reality film on Intimate Partner Violence which received multiple awards nationally and internationally, and a virtual reality film on access to safe and legal abortion. Her passion for empowering women and young people has led her to be recognized on various platforms. 

Recognitions:

  • Top 120 under 40 Next Generation of Family Planning Leaders, 2016
  • Top 99 under 33 young foreign policy leaders in the world by Diplomatic Courier and Young Professionals in Foreign Policy in the USA, 2012
  • Top 99 under 33 young rising leaders in India, 2011
  • Atlas Corps Fellowship, 2007-08