Growing up in rural Bihar, Dr. Surbhi Kumari witnessed how poverty, gender inequality, and limited opportunities shaped the lives of women and marginalised communities. While these challenges were often accepted as part of daily life, she believed lasting change was possible if communities were empowered to lead it themselves.
That belief eventually brought her to SumArth, a grassroots organisation she joined in 2019, where she began working closely with rural communities to improve livelihoods, promote women’s health, and build climate resilience. Today, SumArth is creating social impact by helping women become financially independent, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and breaking deeply rooted taboos around menstrual health.
Turning Challenges Into Purpose
Surbhi’s journey into the development sector was influenced by her rural upbringing and academic background in communication and journalism. Growing up, she observed how women and smallholder farmers often lacked access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making power. These experiences shaped her belief that sustainable development must be community-driven rather than charity-driven.
As she worked closely with rural communities, she identified two critical issues affecting quality of life: limited livelihood opportunities and poor awareness around women’s health. Determined to address both, she founded SumArth with a vision of building inclusive and self-reliant rural communities.
Creating Sustainable Livelihoods
One of SumArth’s key focus areas is women’s economic empowerment. The organization promotes climate-resilient agriculture, entrepreneurship, and skill development among rural women and smallholder farmers.
A breakthrough came through its mushroom cultivation initiative. Initially, many women were hesitant to adopt the unfamiliar crop due to concerns about production and market access. The team soon realised that training alone was not enough. To build confidence, SumArth provided technical support, subsidised inputs, and market linkages.
As women began earning profits, participation increased rapidly. What started as a small intervention has now enabled thousands of women to generate income, contribute to household finances, and emerge as leaders within their communities.
For Surbhi, these outcomes represent more than economic growth they signify greater confidence, agency, and dignity for women who were previously excluded from financial decision-making.
Breaking the Silence Around Menstrual Health
Alongside livelihoods, SumArth has worked extensively to address menstrual health stigma in rural communities.The journey was not easy. In the early days, families often resisted discussions around menstruation. Some parents questioned the need for awareness sessions, while others viewed the topic as inappropriate. These reactions reflected deep-rooted social taboos that prevented women and girls from accessing accurate information and safe menstrual practices.
Rather than giving up, the team adopted a community-based approach, engaging not only girls but also parents, teachers, community leaders, and men. Over time, these conversations helped create safer spaces for dialogue and awareness.
Today, SumArth’s menstrual health initiatives have reached more than 30,000 women and 5,000 adolescent girls, encouraging healthier practices, informed choices, and greater dignity.
One particularly powerful experience involved a woman from a Mahadalit community who avoided bathing during menstruation because of social and personal pressures. Through continuous engagement and awareness sessions, she eventually changed this practice. For Surbhi, the transformation highlighted how small behavioural shifts can lead to greater self-confidence and empowerment.
Building Impact Beyond Numbers
Over the years, SumArth has demonstrated that social impact is not only measured by the number of people reached but also by the changes in attitudes, behaviours, and opportunities created within communities.
Its integrated approach connects livelihoods, health, gender equality, and climate resilience, recognising that lasting development requires addressing these issues together rather than in isolation.
The organisation’s efforts have earned recognition through awards such as the Young Innovative Farmer Award by PepsiCo and the Jagran Women Achievers Award, while SumArth has also been selected for programmes supported by UN Environment and UN Women.
The Way Forward
Looking ahead, Surbhi aims to expand SumArth’s work across more underserved communities while strengthening women-led enterprises, sustainable agriculture, and menstrual health initiatives.
Her vision is simple yet transformative: to create rural communities where women have equal access to opportunities, resources, and leadership roles.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Her vision is simple yet transformative: to create rural communities where women have equal access to opportunities, resources, and leadership roles.
Surbhi’s journey highlights the power of community-led development in creating meaningful social change. Through SumArth, she is addressing some of rural India’s most pressing challenges by empowering women with livelihoods, knowledge, and confidence. Her work demonstrates that when women are given the tools to thrive, the impact extends beyond individuals to families, communities, and future generations.
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