MAM
Zivame appoints Monish Kaul as chief technology and product officer
Mumbai: Intimate wear brand, Zivame has announced the appointment of Monish Kaul as its chief technology and product officer (CTPO). Kaul has over a decade of experience in helping to build organisations that deliver innovative solutions by applying cutting-edge methodologies and managing, engineering and product teams in the digital economy. Prior to his appointment at Zivame, he served in leadership roles with Halodoc, Mfine, Myntra and Intel. His academic credentials include an executive program in Management from SC Johnson School of Business, Cornell University and a Computer Sciences major from Jaypee University of Information Technology.
Speaking on the appointment, Zivame chief operating officer Lavanya Pachisia said, “At Zivame we strive to offer the best-in-class user experience for our consumers and Monish’s leadership will help further strengthen and elevate this. His technological expertise across data driven consumer products and growth platforms will play an essential role in strengthening our operations in readiness for the next phase of growth.”
Monish Kaul added, “Over the years, Zivame has been enabling women across the country to shop uninhibitedly for intimate wear. Our aim will be to consolidate consumer needs in the category and enrich consumer experience with hyper-personalised & secure outcomes via our omni-channel shopping platforms. We aim to build platforms and products which further increase the customer love we take so much pride in.”
Brands
6 in 10 face bias, 58 per cent delay care: India’s LGBTQIA+ health crisis
Study highlights bias in care and unsafe spaces shaping everyday choices
MUMBAI: A significant number of LGBTQIA+ women in India are putting off essential healthcare, with 58 per cent reporting delays or avoidance due to discrimination, according to a new study. The figure is the highest among five countries surveyed, pointing to deep-rooted systemic challenges.
The research, conducted by Kantar in partnership with DIVA Charitable Trust and The Curve Foundation, draws insights from over 3,200 LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary individuals globally. Released around Lesbian Visibility Week, the findings highlight how bias continues to shape access to care.
In India, 60 per cent of respondents said they had faced discrimination in healthcare settings, often feeling dismissed or not taken seriously by providers. This has led many to delay seeking treatment, underscoring how trust deficits in the system directly impact health decisions.
The study also reflects broader social realities. Instances of verbal or physical abuse were commonly reported across platforms such as social media, public transport and social venues, reinforcing a persistent sense of insecurity in everyday life.
At the same time, expectations from brands are evolving. In India, 78 per cent of respondents believe companies should actively contribute to advancing diversity and inclusion, signalling a growing demand for corporate accountability.
Kantar India HR head Mridul Shekhar said, “LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people remain underrepresented and overlooked. Their experiences are shaped by uneven access to care and systems not designed with them in mind. When people are invisible in data, they become invisible in decision-making.”
DIVA Charitable Trust executive director Lady Phyll added, “When people delay healthcare because they fear discrimination, we are no longer talking about symbolic inclusion. These are life decisions driven by the need to feel safe.”
The findings underline a stark reality. While awareness around inclusion is growing, bridging the gap between intent and lived experience remains an urgent priority.
