SHE ACCESS

The lack of adequate sexual and reproductive health care and rights in Nigeria presents a multifaceted and urgent challenge. The reproductive health status of Nigerian adolescents, particularly in rural areas, is a matter of deep concern. According to a study involving approximately 5500 youths aged 12 to 24 years, 41 percent had engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse, with a staggering 82 percent of them being girls. This age group also bears a high burden of various sexually transmitted diseases.

An urban-based study in Nigeria further revealed that 16.5 percent of adolescents aged 17 to 19 years were found to suffer from various types of sexually transmitted infections. Of grave concern is the fact that recurrent or prolonged sexually transmitted infections significantly heighten the risk of subsequent cervical cancer development.

Teenage pregnancy rates in Nigeria are alarmingly high. The last 2010 population census highlighted that young people aged 15 to 24 years contributed to approximately 29.3 percent of all deliveries in the country. Regrettably, a significant proportion of teenage pregnancies are believed to end in induced abortions, often performed by unqualified individuals in unsafe environments.

Moreover, recent studies conducted in Northern Nigeria by Chinwe et al. in 2022 have unveiled a disheartening trend: over 50 percent of young adolescent girls are reluctant to seek sexual and reproductive health care in formal health facilities when the need arises. Instead, they resort to unqualified providers or self-medication, which further exacerbates the burden of morbidity and mortality. This reluctance can be attributed to factors such as the lack of privacy and confidentiality, stigma, sociocultural beliefs, negative attitudes of health care providers, and the high cost of essential commodities.

Furthermore, the absence of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health rights undermines the country's progress and development. Achieving the goals of sustainable and equitable development necessitates that women have the ability to assert control over their sexual and reproductive lives. Thus, it is imperative to address these pressing issues in Nigeria's sexual and reproductive health care system to safeguard the well-being and rights of its young population.

SHE ACCESS is an online platform designed to address the SRH information and support needs of young women and girls. It offers a range of services to empower them to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

What does it do?

1. Access to Information: SHE ACCESS offers a user-friendly website and mobile app where young women and girls can access a wealth of SRH information, including family planning, safe sex practices, and STI prevention.
2. Confidential Chat Rooms: The platform connects users to confidential chat rooms staffed by healthcare workers and SRH experts. Here, they can engage in private, anonymous conversations, seeking guidance and advice without revealing their identities.
3. Youth-Friendly Services: SHE ACCESS collaborates with school clinics to train service providers in offering SRH services in a youth-friendly manner.  Also, family planning commodities and other hygiene products will be provided. This ensures that when users seek in-person care, they receive support that caters to their unique needs and concerns.

How it works:

• Users can visit the SHE ACCESS website
• They can explore a wide range of SRH information and resources.
• If they have specific questions or concerns, they can enter a confidential chat room.
• In the chat rooms, healthcare workers and experts provide personalized guidance and support, addressing users' SRH queries without requiring them to disclose their identities.
• For in-person services, SHE ACCESS has partnered with school clinics to offer youth-friendly SRH care, creating a seamless link between the online and offline support.

Our primary focus is on young women and adolescent girls between the ages of 14 to 26 years. This demographic faces unique challenges and is often underserved in the realm of sexual and reproductive health (SRH).

Why They Are Underserved:

1. Lack of Access to Information: Many young women and girls lack comprehensive and accurate SRH information. The educational systems may not provide adequate sexual education.
2. Fear of Stigmatization: Fear of stigmatization and judgment often discourages young women and girls from seeking SRH information or services from conventional healthcare providers.
3. Privacy Concerns: Privacy and confidentiality are paramount in SRH discussions. Current services may not guarantee the level of anonymity young women and girls seek when seeking SRH advice.

How the Solution Addresses Their Needs:

1. Access to Reliable Information: SHE ACCESS offers an easily accessible platform for young women and girls to access trustworthy and comprehensive SRH information, helping them make informed choices.
2. Confidential Support: By providing confidential chat rooms staffed by healthcare workers and experts, SHE ACCESS addresses the privacy concerns of the target population. Users can discuss their concerns without revealing their identities.
3. Youth-Friendly Services: SHE ACCESS collaborates with  school clinics to ensure that the in-person SRH services they might seek are youth-friendly, addressing their unique needs in a supportive environment.

Our solution directly targets the underserved young women and girls by ensuring they have access to vital SRH information and support without judgment or the risk of stigmatization

As the team lead of Sahara Women and Children Development Initiative, I bring a unique perspective to our mission. My background as a Pharmacist not only equips me with a solid understanding of healthcare but also fuels my passion for improving the lives of women and girls. However, our strength doesn't lie solely in our academic or professional credentials but in our deep connection with the communities we serve.

In 2021, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, I had a firsthand realization of the unmet need for comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) information. Young girls from my community often approached me as a healthcare worker to discuss SRH issues. This experience highlighted the urgent need for accessible SRH information and support.

To better understand the unique needs of our target population, we conducted extensive inquiries within the community. We engaged in conversations, and consultations to ensure that our solution resonates with the communities we aim to serve.

Our journey began with the creation of "The Every Girl's Companion," a book focused on puberty and hygiene for girls. This book not only addressed a critical gap in SRH education but also garnered national approval for use in schools. Even UNICEF recognized its value and distributed the book in the local Hausa language to young girls in Zamfara and Kebbi states.

Now, we are advancing to the second phase of our mission, leveraging technology to reach a broader audience. Our approach is meaningfully guided by the input and ideass of the communities we serve. We recognize the importance of community involvement in the design and implementation of our solution.

We believe that the most effective solutions come from within the community itself, and we are committed to ensuring that our efforts align with the expressed needs and aspirations of the women and girls we aim to support. Our journey is a testament to our strong connection with the communities we serve, and our mission is rooted in their voices and experiences

Our initiative has already achieved tangible results and undergone testing to demonstrate that our solution goes beyond a mere idea:

1. "The Every Girl's Companion" Book: We authored and published a book specifically tailored to address the needs of young girls on the topic of puberty and hygiene. This book has received national approval for use in schools and has been distributed to young girls in local languages by UNICEF in Zamfara and Kebbi states. This demonstrates not only the acceptability of our solution but its effectiveness in providing critical SRH information to the target population.
2. Community Engagement: We have actively engaged with the communities we serve. Through  consultations, and discussions, we have gathered valuable insights and feedback directly from our target audience. This input has guided the design and implementation of our solution to ensure it aligns with the real needs and preferences of the women and girls we aim to empower.
3. Technology Integration: In response to identified needs and a desire to reach a wider audience, we are now in the process of integrating technology into our solution. This signifies our commitment to staying innovative and adaptable in order to provide even more accessible and impactful SRH information.
4. National Recognition: The fact that our book has received national approval by National Educational Research Council and recognition is a testament to its quality and relevance. It showcases that our solution has moved beyond the conceptual stage and has been embraced by educational authorities and organizations with expertise in child and women's welfare.

These concrete steps and achievements demonstrate that our solution is not just an abstract idea but a practical and effective approach to improving the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls in our communities.

Our solution, SHE ACCESS Initiative, stands out due to its innovative approach to addressing sexual and reproductive health needs in a comprehensive and culturally sensitive manner. Here's how our solution is innovative:

•  Our initiative combines traditional educational materials, such as the book "The Every Girl's Companion," with modern technology-driven platforms, including web-based solutions and mobile apps. This hybrid approach ensures that we reach a wider and more diverse audience of women and girls, acknowledging that access to information varies across communities.
• We leverage digital technology to create user-friendly websites, and mobile chat platform. These platforms provide women and girls with a safe and confidential space to access information, consult with healthcare workers, and engage with experts in sexual and reproductive health. This innovative use of technology offers privacy and convenience, which is particularly crucial in Sokoto where discussing these topics openly is not encouraged

By pioneering an innovative combination of traditional educational resources and modern technology, we believe our solution can serve as a model for addressing sexual and reproductive health needs not only in our region but also in similar settings worldwide.

In the next year, our primary goal is to reach and empower 50,000 women and girls with essential sexual and reproductive health information through our web-based platforms, mobile apps, and the distribution of "The Every Girl's Companion" book.

We aim to train up to 50 clinics staff in schools on youth friendly services,  ensuring that women and girls have access to confidential and empathetic sexual and reproductive health services.

We plan to collect user feedback and insights through our platforms to continuously refine and improve our resources and services, making them even more effective and relevant to our target population.

In the next five years, we hope to scale up our intervention to empower 200 000 women and girls with accurate sexual and reproductive health information. Then train more service providers to increase access to youth friendly services. Our work aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality), among others.

The indicators we will be tracking include;

Indicator: Number of women and girls accessing our web-based platforms, mobile apps, and "The Every Girl's Companion" book

Indicator: Number of healthcare workers trained in youth-friendly services and practices.

Indicator: Number of hygiene products and contraceptives distributed at the centers

Inputs:

Team Expertise: Utilize the expertise of the team, including a pharmacist and other healthcare professionals.

"The Every Girl's Companion" Book: Distribute the book to schools and communities.

Technology Resources: Develop and maintain web-based platforms, mobile apps, and chat services.

Distribute SRH Commodities: Distribute pads and contraceptives to trained sites

Training Programs: Provide training to healthcare workers on youth-friendly services.

Community Engagement: Connect with communities and potential users through outreach and awareness programs.

Activities:

1. Book Distribution: Distribute "The Every Girl's Companion" book to schools and communities to educate young girls on SRH.
2. Technology Development: Create and maintain user-friendly web-based platforms, mobile apps, and chat services.
3. Training Healthcare Workers: Train healthcare workers to provide youth-friendly SRH services and distribution of SRH Commodities
4. Community Engagement: Engage with communities through workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns.

Outputs:

Educated Girls: Girls have access to SRH information through the book, apps, and chat services.

Trained Healthcare Workers: Equip healthcare workers to deliver youth-friendly services.

Community Awareness: Raise awareness and interest in SRH issues among communities.

Outcomes:

Improved SRH Knowledge: Girls are more informed about SRH, leading to better decision-making.

Increased SRH Service Uptake: Girls access youth-friendly SRH services, reducing the burden of morbidity and mortality.

Empowered Communities: Communities are engaged in discussions around SRH and support young girls.

Replicable Model: Demonstrate the success of the model to encourage its adoption in other regions.

Long-Term Impact:

Transformed SRH Landscape: Long-term goal of improving SRH outcomes and rights for girls and women, reducing health disparities.

Within Sahara Women and Children Development Initiative, we have five (5) full-time staff who manage all our activities. Nevertheless, for specific initiatives, we may also engage part-time staff and volunteers as necessary, and their numbers can vary based on the requirements of each particular project. This approach allows us to flexibly adapt to the needs of our initiatives while maintaining a dedicated core team. Therefore for SHE ACCESS initiative, we have about 8 volunteers

Sahara Women and Children Development Initiative has been working on different solutions to improve the health and wellbeing of women and girls since 2022. The SHE ACCESS initiative was initiated around March 2023 with the distribution of the Book Every Girls Companion.

Incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into our work at the Sahara Women and Children Development Initiative is at the core of our mission. We recognize that these principles are not just ideals but fundamental components of a successful and impactful solution.

Our leadership team is composed of individuals from diverse backgrounds, each bringing unique perspectives and experiences to the table. We are committed to expanding and strengthening this diversity, ensuring that our team is representative of the communities we aim to serve.

To promote diversity and inclusivity, we have set clear goals for our organization:

 We aim to increase the representation of marginalized groups within our team, ensuring that voices from various backgrounds are heard and valued.

We strive to create environments where all team members are not only welcomed but also respected, supported, and valued. Inclusivity is embedded in our culture, promoting collaboration and innovation.

Through these efforts, we aim to not only develop a solution that empowers and supports women and girls but also create a model for how technology and education can be harnessed to drive social impact while addressing systemic barriers. 

Our business model for SHE ACCESS Initiative is primarily centered around delivering value to the women and girls through our innovative solutions targeting sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information for young women and girls.

Key Customers and Beneficiaries:

Our primary beneficiaries are young women and girls, particularly in underserved communities, who require accurate SRH information, guidance, and access to confidential consultations.

Products and Services:

We provide educational materials like "The Every Girl's Companion" book, approved for use in schools . The book covers topics related to puberty, hygiene, and sexual and reproductive health.

We leverage web-based solutions, such as a website and mobile app, to provide SRH information. These platforms offer a wealth of information on SRH topics, enabling users to access guidance and support.

Users can connect with healthcare workers and experts anonymously through mobile chat services to discuss SRH topics confidentially.

We train service providers at school clinics to offer SRH services in a more youth-friendly manner, ensuring that young women and girls receive the care they need.

We also distribute SRH commodities at the clinics

How We Provide these Products and Services:

• We distribute "The Every Girl's Companion" book through schools and organizations.
• The web-based platforms and mobile chat services are accessible online and through mobile applications.
• Service provider training involves in-person sessions at university school clinics.

Why They Want or Need Them: Young women and girls need accurate and reliable SRH information to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Our products and services offer a trustworthy source of information and confidential support, which they may not receive through traditional healthcare channels. By addressing their needs, we empower them to take control of their sexual and reproductive health.

Revenue Model: Our revenue model is primarily grant-funded and proceeds  from book sales. We seek grants and funding from organizations, government agencies, and international bodies aligned with our mission to provide SRH information and support to young women and girls. We also explore partnerships and collaborations to expand our reach and impact. Then also leverage on revenue generated from the sale of "The Every Girl's Companion" book supports our activities and sustainability.

To achieve financial sustainability, SHE ACCESS Initiative will employ a multifaceted approach, diversifying revenue streams to ensure long-term stability while continuing to deliver impactful services. Our plan for financial sustainability includes the following elements:

1. Book Sales and Educational Materials:
   • Primary Revenue Source: We will continue to sell our educational materials, such as "The Every Girl's Companion" book, to schools, organizations, and individuals. The revenue generated from book sales will be a key source of income.
   • Digital Materials: In addition to physical books, we will explore options for selling digital versions of educational materials, which can cater to a wider audience.
2. Grant Funding and Donations:
   • Continued Grant Applications: We will actively seek grants from organizations, government agencies, and foundations that share our mission of improving the sexual and reproductive health of young women and girls. This includes local, national, and international grant opportunities..
3. Social Enterprise Initiatives:
   • Merchandise Sales: We may develop and sell merchandise related to our cause, allowing supporters to contribute to our mission while receiving tangible products.
4. Technical Assistance and Consultancy:
   • Providing SRH Expertise: As an organization with in-depth knowledge in sexual and reproductive health, we can offer technical assistance and consultancy services to government agencies, NGOs, and other organizations looking to improve their SRH programs.

• We will prioritize prudent financial management, ensuring that our expenses are in line with our revenue streams, allowing for gradual but sustainable growth.