Aastha Vohra created an Instagram page to initiate open discussions related to sex education. Addressing the societal taboo, she engaged with people who struggled to express their views. Eventually, in collaboration with her friend, Aastha co-founded ‘Manzuri,’ India’s first sex education company.
Delhi: When 26-year-old Aastha Vohra began working to establish a sex education company, she faced opposition from her family members. It is a sensitive subject in India and Aastha realized the importance of spreading awareness about the same. Let’s find out what led Aastha Vohra to launch a sex education and wellness company called ‘Manzuri.’
Who is Aastha Vohra?
Aastha grew up in a typical Punjabi family in Agra and Delhi. Her father is a retired army officer, and her mother passed away 8 years ago. She completed her schooling from an Army School. She pursued an MA degree from Symbiosis School of International Studies, Pune, in the year 2017. Aastha managed to land a scholarship because of her exceptional academic talents and went to the United Kingdom to pursue research for six months. She was also employed at Indian Embassy in Denmark.
Launching the company
In the year 2020, Aastha created an Instagram page to initiate open discussions related to sex education. Her aim was to dispel the myths surrounding the topics that people hesitate to discuss about. Addressing the societal taboo, she engaged with people who struggled to express their views. Aastha’s outreach expanded as people sought information and even inquired about sex toys. Eventually, in collaboration with her friend, Aastha co-founded ‘Manzuri,’ India’s first sex education company.
Discussions with family
Aastha Vohra could not tell her father about her company for the first eight months. However, she had faith that her father would eventually understand. As she gradually revealed the nature of the business, her father came to recognize the importance of addressing this sensitive issue and promoting awareness. Today, he takes pride in his daughter’s work in the field of sex education.
Promoting awareness
Aastha Vohra shares that her company consistently sells 1200 to 1500 sex toys every month. She notes that the greatest demand for them is observed in cities like Delhi and Mumbai.
She emphasizes the lack of awareness people have about their own bodies. She highlights a significant disparity, noting that while 99 percent of men achieve pleasure, on the other hand, only 25 percent of women report the same experience. This underscores the need for education to men and women alike.
Facing challenges and overcoming them
Aastha Vohra shares that several establishments blacklisted her company, blocked payment gateways, and they were even banned from using LinkedIn. However, after a few days, as the companies learned more about the purpose and mission, the restrictions were lifted, allowing Aastha to continue her work.
Aastha’s goals extend to foster awareness about topics like menstruation. She understands the lack of awareness that persists in our society and aims to help young girls to get educated about these bodily changes. The company challenges the societal perceptions and strives to empower women with knowledge.
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