Nairobi, Nov. 16 -- Preethi Herman is empowering communities across Asia, Africa, and Latin America one step at a time.

In 2012, the Indian native developed Change.org in India, an online platform that enabled the country's citizens to push for change through petitions to government leaders and duty-bearers.

The platform broke the ice. It allowed citizens to engage on issues that society forbade people to talk about. From female genital mutilation to maternal health, and protection of children's rights.

Now, more than 12 million in India are using the platform to push for social change.

She says that in the beginning, nearly all users of their platform were men yet women are more successful in their campaigns.

"Women are persistent a...