Ms. Aruna Varsani
Achiever's Success Story
Working for the betterment of the society
Aruna Varsani is an Indian-Kenyan innovator, educationalist, and philanthropist. She has dedicated nearly 20 years of her life to charitable causes, education, and community development, particularly in the areas of gender equality and social inclusion in Kenya and India. Aruna is highly influential and has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Global Humanitarian Award from WAOW, the Indian Achiever Award for Building a Nation, the Exceptional Women of Excellence Award, the Woman of the Decade Award, the Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and the Iconic Women Creating a Better World for All Award.
As an innovator, Aruna has founded a charity foundation and several initiatives that promote sustainable community development through meaningful engagement between communities and the government, including in policy formulation and development decision-making. Her main passion is increasing access to education on sexual and menstrual health management for adolescent girls and young women in grassroots communities, as well as producing and distributing sustainable, reusable sanitary pads.
One of Aruna’s most notable initiatives is the Smallest Library in Africa, which has helped establish, build, and upgrade over 18 libraries in rural and informal housing (slums) in Kenya. Aruna’s driving motivation is to promote education and innovation by reducing inequities and increasing access through collaboration and partnership. She has also given a TEDx talk on her work and vision.