In 2002 Carinne Chambers-Saini founded DIVA with her mother Francine Chambers with the dream of improving women’s intimate health. In the first year after launching the brand, the mother-daughter duo introduced the Diva Cup—this innovative and sustainable solution in menstrual wellness forever changed the landscape of women’s health.
Now, more than two decades later DIVA remains committed as ever to their mission and expanding the conversation surrounding women’s health. Their new line, the Vulva Care Collection is formulated to support intimate wellness at every stage of life. The consciously-formulated line goes above and beyond to break stigmas surrounding women’s health and addresses vulvar health—which is severely overlooked in the women’s wellness space.
To celebrate the launch of the line, and International Women’s Month, DIVA Co-Founder and CEO Carinne Chambers-Saini is sharing why vulvar health deserves our attention, the future of women’s wellness, and how she hopes to foster more open conversations in the intimate wellness space.
SG: As a company founded with a focus on women’s wellness, how do you think the conversation around intimate health has evolved over the years, especially when it comes to breaking down stigmas?
CC: “When my mother and I first started the business, conversations around menstruation, vulvar health, and intimate wellness were very much considered taboo topics. They were something to be ashamed of rather than discussed openly. Over the years, increased advocacy, education, and visibility (in large part to brands like DIVA) have helped to normalize the conversation.”
“Social media has also played a role in breaking down stigma, by giving individuals a platform to share their experiences and call for better policies and products. While things have certainly gotten better, there is still a long way to go. Our goal is to empower people to prioritize their health and wellness—and talk about their bodies—without shame. We are launching the Vulva Care Collection with this in mind: to help women and people with vulvas feel empowered, informed, and cared for. No shame, no silence, just effective solutions.”
What inspired you to create DIVA, and how does it address the unique needs of women when it comes to proactive, sustainable care in intimate wellness?
“DIVA was created based on a shared desire to make real, meaningful change in menstrual care. My mother and I saw a clear need for an alternative to disposable products, and one that was better for the body, the planet, and people’s wallets. The DivaCup (and our subsequent products) gives users freedom, comfort, and confidence while reducing environmental waste.”
“Over the years, we’ve continued to expand our product line and advocacy efforts to drive impact and access. We’re extending our mission with the Vulva Care Collection, so we can support women and people with vulvas from their first period to their last and beyond.”
In your opinion, what are some of the biggest gaps in women’s health and wellness today?
“Women’s health remains underfunded and underserved. There are major gaps in research and funding. Women and gender diverse people’s bodies have historically been underrepresented in medical studies, leading to a lack of understanding and conversation around common conditions and symptoms.”
“In addition, a lack of accessible information continues to be a challenge. There’s still widespread misinformation about menstruation, fertility, and overall intimate health, increasing stigma and keeping these conversations to the shadows. Bridging these gaps requires policy changes, increased funding, and ongoing advocacy to ensure that all people have access to the care they need.”
How do you think fostering open conversations around feminine care can impact women’s overall well-being and quality of life?
“When we break the silence and break down stigmas around essential healthcare topics, including caring for our vulvas, we help empower people to make informed choices about their health. Open conversations lead to better education, better products, and ultimately, better outcomes. It also helps to remove the sense of embarrassment that has accompanied women’s health care for so long, allowing individuals to seek the care and support they need without fear of judgment. This is a great time to amplify these conversations and diverse voices to ensure that intimate health is seen as an essential part of overall health and wellness.”
“When we break the silence and break down stigmas around essential healthcare topics, including caring for our vulvas, we help empower people to make informed choices about their health.”
Looking toward the future, what initiatives or innovations do you envision that could further challenge the stigma surrounding feminine care and promote better access to intimate wellness products?
“The future of intimate wellness needs to be shaped by innovation and advocacy, so that we can effectively break down barriers and provide access to information, support, and solutions, no matter the stage of life. At DIVA, we remain committed to driving this change, ensuring that no one feels limited or silenced by something as natural as their body. We continue to innovate, launching new products and initiatives to support women and people with vulvas, no matter their age or circumstance.”
