Megha Mohan

Megha Mohan is the BBC's first Global Gender and Identity Correspondent, an award-winning journalist, documentary maker and author. Reporting across the BBC's 43 language services to a global audience of approximately 500 million, she covers some of the world's most pressing issues surrounding women's rights, gender equality, LGBTQ+ communities, race and identity. Her debut book, Herlands: Lessons from Societies Where Women Make the Rules, published by Penguin Books UK in March 2026, explores the history and experiences of women-led societies around the world, challenging conventional ideas about power, leadership and gender. Alongside her journalism, Megha co-founded Second Source in 2025, a network supporting women and non-binary journalists from underrepresented backgrounds.

Before becoming a journalist in 2011, Megha worked for an NGO specialising in the African Great Lakes region, an experience that helped shape her interest in international affairs and human rights. Since transitioning into media, she has reported on some of the world's most complex and challenging issues, from Honduras's black market for abortion pills and the Philippines' war on drugs to the global influence of far-right politics and gender roles within North Korea's military. Her reporting on women in North Korea's army was ranked among Chartbeat's 100 most-read articles globally. In September 2018, Megha was appointed the BBC's first-ever Gender and Identity Correspondent, a pioneering role created to bring greater depth and international perspective to reporting on gender, sexuality, ethnicity and faith.

Driven by a desire to humanise complex global issues, Megha's journalism is rooted in listening to people's experiences and telling stories that might otherwise go unheard. Her work has taken her to six continents, where she has secured exclusive interviews with influential figures including former US First Lady Michelle Obama, Finland's former Prime Minister Sanna Marin and global music star Billie Eilish. Her ability to connect individual experiences with wider political, social and cultural developments has established her as a distinctive voice in international journalism. In October 2026, Megha's interview with Signal President Meredith Whittaker went viral, bringing widespread attention to the importance of online privacy and digital rights.

Alongside her journalism, Megha is passionate about creating greater opportunities and representation within the media industry. In 2025, she co-founded Second Source, a community for women and non-binary journalists from underrepresented backgrounds, established to tackle workplace harassment, provide professional development and drive greater equality across the industry. She also serves on the board of Global Gender Rights in Tech and has advised on media guidelines for Level Up, helping journalists approach reporting on domestic violence with greater sensitivity. Her contributions to journalism and storytelling have also been recognised through her inclusion in the 2018 Progress 1000 list of influential storytellers. In her debut book, Herlands: Lessons from Societies Where Women Make the Rules, Megha combines extensive research with first-hand reporting to explore historical and contemporary women-led communities, examining what their experiences reveal about power, leadership and alternative models of society. Published by Penguin Books UK in March 2026, the book has secured international publishing deals in Germany, France, Italy, Romania, the Czech Republic and the United States.

As a speaker, Megha brings the insight of an internationally respected journalist to conversations about gender equality, women's rights, identity, diversity, media representation and the changing global landscape. Drawing on extraordinary first-hand reporting experiences, interviews with influential world figures and the research behind Herlands, she offers audiences a nuanced perspective on the social and political forces shaping our world. Megha is available to speak on gender and identity, women's leadership and empowerment, LGBTQ+ rights, race and representation, international affairs, the future of journalism, and the power of storytelling to challenge perceptions and drive meaningful change. Her talks combine compelling personal experiences, global perspectives and thought-provoking insights, making complex issues accessible and engaging to all audiences.