Uzima Health

Girl Effect

Uzima Health

UZIMA, a GenAI powered mental wellbeing and sexual health platform for girls and young people in Kenya and South Africa to create thriving futures

London, UK

KEN

Nonprofit

Young people face major mental health challenges, with high rates of depression (45.9% in Kenya, 41.2% in South Africa) and anxiety (35.7% and 61.2%, respectively). Yet up to 75% receive no professional support, leading to serious health and socio-economic impacts. For Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW), stigma, gender-based violence, and limited access to healthcare compound the problem. Mental health struggles often overlap with risky sexual behaviors, highlighting the need for integrated, youth-friendly care. Launched in 2018, UZIMA tackles both mental health and sexual and reproductive health by removing barriers to care. In Kenya, 1 in 3 users access consultations and 10% book follow-up services. Data shows 34% accessed HIV testing, 22% received contraceptive counseling, and nearly 10% sought STI services. Awareness of modern contraception rose from 40% to 61%, and STI prevention knowledge improved from 38% to 46%. Confidence in healthcare confidentiality grew from 43% to 56%. Over 300,000 young people have engaged with UZIMA’s mental health content, with 13,782 referred to specialized support. Evaluations show a 21.6% increase in knowledge of mental health coping strategies. UZIMA is transforming access to care and creating lasting impact across Kenya, South Africa, and beyond.

Girl Effect aims to help Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) unlock their power and potential. We’re here to inspire and support them in making smart choices about their health and well-being—whether deciding if and when to start a family, or becoming leaders in their communities. With 15+ years of experience, we’ve already made a difference in the lives of over 23 million girls across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The star of our work? UZIMA, our game-changing health platform. Named after the Swahili word for “wholeness,” UZIMA is all about supporting young people on their health journeys. Through fun and relatable content, we dive into topics that often feel off-limits, like navigating body changes or dealing with loneliness. We’re the go-to place for tough questions like “Am I ready to have sex?” or “Why do I feel so lonely?”—and we tackle them with care and understanding. Our 24/7 AI-powered WhatsApp chat service, backed by live healthcare workers, makes it easy for young people to get accurate, personalized advice whenever they need it. And when they’re ready, we connect them to youth-friendly health services for STI testing, contraception, therapy, and more—no hassle, no judgment.

UZIMA serves young people aged 18–24 in Kenya and South Africa, with a strong focus on Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW). This group faces overlapping challenges—high rates of anxiety, depression, and limited access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services—compounded by stigma, gender-based violence, and misinformation. The health system is often fragmented and intimidating, making it hard for young people to move from questions to quality care. UZIMA directly improves their lives by providing an end-to-end digital solution that meets them where they are: online. It guides users from health awareness to action, offering relatable content, confidential chat support with trained healthcare agents, and seamless referrals to mental health and SRH services. In Kenya, 1 in 3 users access consultations and 10% follow through with in-person care. Over 1.6 million young people have engaged with UZIMA, with significant increases in HIV testing, contraceptive use, and STI care. By breaking down barriers to trusted information and youth-friendly services, UZIMA empowers young people to take control of their wellbeing. It transforms how care is experienced—making it accessible, safe, and relevant—and ensures no young person is left behind on their journey to better health.