Priya Mahendra

Indian edtech innovator empowering rural girls through digital literacy programs

Priya Mahendra, a Mumbai-based social entrepreneur, launched DigitAdiva in 2020 to bridge India's digital divide for female students. Her platform provides free online coding education using a unique 'peer mentor' model where urban tech professionals teach rural girls via video conferencing. By 2023, the initiative had trained over 120,000 girls in 18 states, with 65% proceeding to secure tech internships.

Mahendra's approach integrates cultural sensitivity with technical training, offering courses in local languages and collaborating with NGOs to build community internet centers. Her 2022 book 《Code to Freedom: A Girl's Guide to Tech Empowerment》 became a bestseller in educational technology literature.

Notable partnerships include Microsoft's 'Girls in Tech' initiative and the Indian government's Digital India campaign. Mahendra's work was featured in Forbes Women and earned her the 2023 UNESCO Gender Equality in Education Award.