BESTY

DESCRIPTION DU PROBLÈME

In Africa, girls and women face a number of problems that hinder their education and empowerment. These include:

• Women's rights violated

Women's rights are often violated in Africa. Women can face discrimination in education, employment, health and property. Such discrimination can limit their ability to make informed decisions about their health and sexuality.

• Lack of information and education

Lack of education and information is a major problem in Africa. Women may have limited access to information and services on health, rights and sexuality. This can make them vulnerable to unwanted pregnancies, sexual and gender-based violence, STDs/STIs and violations of women's rights.

• Lack of community support

Community support is important to women's health and well-being. Women can benefit from support from family, friends and the community.

Social and cultural norms
Sexuality is often a taboo subject in Africa. This can make it difficult for women to access the information and services they need.

• Poverty

In Africa, women are often confronted with poverty. This can limit their access to information, services and resources.

• Early and/or unwanted pregnancies

   Early/unwanted pregnancies are a major problem in Africa. According to the WHO, around 29% of pregnancies in Africa are unwanted. These pregnancies can have negative consequences for the health and well-being of women, girls and children.

• Sexual and gender-based violence

Sexual and gender-based violence is another major problem in Africa. According to UN Women, one in three women in sub-Saharan Africa has experienced some form of sexual or gender-based violence in her lifetime. This violence can have devastating consequences for women's health, well-being and safety.

• STD/STI

STD/STIs are a major problem in Africa. According to the WHO, around 1.4 million people are infected with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. STD/STIs can have serious health consequences, including infertility, pregnancy complications and cancer.

• Young girls' lack of knowledge about their menstrual cycle

In Africa, a study shows that 2 out of 5 women feel anxious about their periods, leading to a lack of desire.

Scope of the problem

These problems are widespread in Africa. According to UNICEF, 25% of girls aged 15 to 19 in sub-Saharan Africa are married or living common-law. According to WHO, around 29% of pregnancies in Africa are unwanted. According to UN Women, one in three women in sub-Saharan Africa has experienced some form of sexual or gender-based violence in her lifetime. According to WHO, some 1.4 million people are infected with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.

Impact of the problem

These problems have a negative impact on the health, well-being and opportunities of girls and women in Africa. They can lead to early and unwanted pregnancies, sexual and gender-based violence, STDs/STIs and violations of women's rights.

Our solution

BESTY is a platform for improving conditions for women in Africa using artificial intelligence. This digital platform offers information and support to women on a variety of topics related to health, rights and sexuality.

BESTY offers the following services:

• Education and awareness: the platform will provide information on topics such as contraception, maternal and child health, sexual and gender-based violence, sexually transmitted diseases, sexuality and sexual and reproductive rights.
• Menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracking: the platform will enable women to track their menstrual cycle and the progress of their pregnancy.
• Teleassistance: the platform will enable women to obtain medical and psychological assistance online. This will be carried out by a medical specialist or a robot.
• Community support forum: the platform will offer a forum where women can share their experiences and get support from other women.
• Find your nearest contraceptive distribution point.

Who is our solution for ?

The BESTY solution is aimed at African women, particularly those living in rural or low-income areas. These women often face barriers to accessing healthcare information and care, including social taboos, physical and sexual violence, gender inequality, language barriers and cost.

BESTY can have a positive impact on the lives of women in Africa in a number of ways, including:

• By providing information and awareness, BESTY can help women make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. This can help them prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, and take care of their reproductive health.
• By enabling women to track their menstrual cycle and pregnancy, BESTY can help them stay healthy and detect potential problems.
• By providing access to medical and psychological care, BESTY can help women who do not have access to traditional health services.
• By offering a community support space, BESTY can help women feel less isolated and find the support they need.
• Teleassistance is an important service that can help women in need of medical or psychological assistance. By offering online medical and psychological assistance, BESTY can help women who live in rural areas or have difficulty accessing healthcare.
• The ability to find the nearest contraceptive distribution points is another important service that can help women access contraceptives. By facilitating access to contraceptives, BESTY can help women prevent unwanted pregnancies.

What impact will the solution have on their lives ? 

Here are some specific examples of the impact BESTY can have on the lives of women in Africa: 

• A woman living in a rural area can use BESTY to obtain information on contraception. This can help her choose the contraceptive method that suits her best and avoid an unwanted pregnancy. 
• A woman who has been the victim of sexual violence can use BESTY to obtain online psychological assistance. This can help her cope with her trauma and rebuild her life. A woman living with a sexually transmitted disease can use BESTY to get information about treatment. This can help her stay healthy and prevent the transmission of the disease to others.

BESTY is an innovative solution with the potential to transform the lives of women in Africa. By providing information and support to women on a variety of topics related to health, rights and sexuality, BESTY can help women take control of their health and their lives.

How well placed are you and your team to offer this solution ?

Our team is well placed to propose BESTY for several reasons.

Firstly, we have a multidisciplinary team with expertise in a variety of fields, including health, technology, women's rights and international development. This enables us to understand the needs of women in Africa and to develop a solution that meets those needs.

Secondly, we have significant experience of working with women in Africa. We have worked with local and international organizations to provide health, education and support services to women. This experience enables us to understand the challenges faced by women in Africa and to develop a solution adapted to their context.

Thirdly, we are passionate about improving the lives of women in Africa. We believe that BESTY has the potential to transform the lives of women in Africa, and we are determined to make this project a success.

We are confident that our team has the skills and experience to make BESTY a success.

What makes our solution a prototype rather than a concept ?

Our solution is a prototype rather than a concept, because it is already being developed and tested. We have built a working prototype of the BESTY platform, which includes the following features:

An education and awareness section that provides information on a variety of topics related to women's sexual and reproductive health, including contraception, maternal and child health, sexual and gender-based violence, sexually transmitted diseases, sexuality and sexual and reproductive rights.
A menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracking section, enabling women to track their menstrual cycle and the progress of their pregnancy.
A teleassistance section, enabling women to obtain medical and psychological assistance online.
A community support forum where women can share their experiences and get support from other women.
What's more, the project has been recognized by the Ministry of Women and the Family in Africanwits , an important sign of the government's support for BESTY. This shows that the Cameroonian government recognizes the need for a platform like BESTY to improve women's health and rights in Africa.

What makes your solution innovative ?

BESTY is innovative in several ways. Firstly, it is a comprehensive solution that tackles the various obstacles to girls' education and women's empowerment. The organization offers education and development programs as well as mentoring services to girls and young women. This holistic approach enables BESTY to have a more significant impact on the lives of girls and young women.

Secondly, BESTY uses technology in innovative ways to achieve its goals. The organization uses a mobile app to provide girls and young women with access to information, resources and support. The mobile app is a valuable tool that enables girls and young women to stay connected to the organization and receive the help they need to succeed.

Thirdly, BESTY is a women-led organization. Women are in the best position to understand the needs and perspectives of other women. The BESTY team is made up of young Cameroonian women who are passionate about girls' education and empowerment. Their commitment and understanding of the challenges facing girls and young women are essential to the organization's success.

BESTY has the potential to catalyze wider positive impacts from other players in this space. The organization has already collaborated with governments, businesses and other organizations to promote girls' education and women's empowerment. By sharing its expertise and resources, BESTY can help other organizations make a difference in the lives of girls and young women.

BESTY has the potential to change the market for girls' education and women's empowerment. The organization has demonstrated that it is possible to provide effective and sustainable solutions to these problems. BESTY can serve as a model for other organizations seeking to make a difference in the lives of girls and young women.

In addition to this, the BESTY team is also working on the development of a robot AI to provide assistance to girls and young women. The robot AI will be able to provide emotional support, advice and information on a variety of topics, such as health, education and personal development.

BESTY's mobile application, thanks to this AI, will be able to provide menstrual cycle and pregnancy monitoring. AI is used to calculate the dates of menstrual cycles and periods, and to provide information about the physical and emotional changes that occur during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

AI can also be used to provide alerts and reminders about important dates, such as medical appointments or due dates. AI can also be used to provide advice and recommendations on health and nutrition during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

What are your impact goals for the next year and the next five years, and how will you achieve them ?

Impact objectives for next year:

• Increase the number of girls and young women in Cameroon with access to quality education by 20%.
• Reduce the drop-out rate for girls and young women in Cameroon by 10%.
• Improve access to sexual and reproductive health information and resources for girls and young women in Cameroon.
• Increase the number of girls and young women in Cameroon who know their rights and their importance.

Impact objectives for the next five years:

• Increase the number of girls and young women in Cameroon who have completed secondary education by 50%.
• Reduce the rate of early marriage of girls in Cameroon by 25%.
• Increase the employment rate of women in Cameroon by 15%.
• Create a fairer, more egalitarian society for women and girls in Cameroon.

How we're going to reach our goals ?

To achieve our goals, we will implement the following strategies:

• Develop and implement targeted education and support programs for girls and young women who face barriers to education.
• Collaborate with governments, businesses and other organizations to create a more favorable environment for the education of girls and young women.
• Use technology to provide access to education and information for girls and young women in rural and remote areas.
• Organize seminars on women's rights to make girls and young women aware of their rights and their importance.

We are convinced that these strategies will enable us to achieve our objectives and have a transformational impact on the lives of girls and young women in Cameroon.

Describe in simple terms how and why you expect our solution to have an impact on the problem.

Our solution will have an impact on the problem of girls' education and women's empowerment in Cameroon in several ways:

• Access to quality education

Our solution will provide girls and young women with access to quality education, including targeted education and support programs for girls and young women who face barriers to education. This will enable girls and young women to stay in school and succeed.

• Raising awareness of women's rights

Our solution will organize seminars on women's rights to make girls and young women aware of their rights and their importance. This will enable girls and young women to understand their rights and assert them.

• More favorable environment

Our solution will work with governments, businesses and other organizations to create a more favorable environment for girls' and women's education. This will break down the social and cultural barriers that prevent girls and young women from becoming educated and empowered.

Evidence

There is a certain amount of evidence to support our theory of change. For example, a UNICEF study found that girls who have access to quality education are less likely to be married off early or to be victims of violence. Another UNESCO study revealed that girls who are aware of their rights are more likely to assert them.

Conclusion

We believe that our solution is an effective way of making an impact on the problem of girls' education and women's empowerment in Cameroon. Our theory of change is sound and supported by evidence. We are convinced that our solution can help create a better world for girls and women in Cameroon.

Simply put, we believe our solution will have an impact on the problem by helping girls and young women to:

• Access quality education
• Understand their rights
• Assert their rights

We believe these three elements are essential for girls' education and women's empowerment. By helping girls and young women achieve these goals, we can help create a fairer, more egalitarian world for women and girls.

How many people work on your solution team ?

Today, our solutions team consists of 10 people, including :

• 9 full-time employees who are its founders,
• 1 part-time consultant

How long have you been working on your solution ?

Project BESTY is a recent initiative, launched in March 2023. The project is currently in the development phase, with a beta version scheduled for launch in early November.

BESTY is an ambitious project, but the team is confident in its ability to have a positive impact on the lives of women in Africa.

Here's an overview of the key stages in BESTY's development:

• March 2023: Feasibility study and concept development
• September - November 2023: Development of the platform
• Early November 2023: Launch of beta version
• January 2023: Launch of the full version

What is your approach to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into your work ?

BESTY is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in its work. We believe that DEI is essential to creating a more just and equal world for all, including girls and women.

Diversity of the management team

BESTY's management team is made up of people from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences from the different regions of Cameroon. This diversity is important to us as it enables us to better understand the needs and perspectives of girls and women in Cameroon.

DIE objectives

Our DCI objectives are as follows:

• To represent the diversity of girls and women in Cameroon within our team and programs.
• Create an inclusive and respectful work environment for all.
• Promote SED in our community.

Customers and beneficiaries

BESTY's main customers are girls and young women in Cameroon. Our beneficiaries are the girls and young women who have access to our programs and services.

Products and services

BESTY offers a variety of products and services to girls and young women in Cameroon, including:

• A mobile application that provides information and resources on education, sexual and reproductive health and women's rights.
• Targeted education and support programs for girls and young women facing barriers to education.
• Seminars on women's rights to make girls and young women aware of their rights and their importance.

Delivery principle

BESTY offers its products and services via a variety of channels, including:

• The BESTY mobile app is accessible via iOS and Android app stores.
• Education and support programs are offered in schools, communities and other places where girls and young women gather.
• Seminars on women's rights are organized in schools, communities and other places where girls and young women gather.

Value

BESTY brings value to girls and young women in Cameroon in a number of ways, including:

• Providing access to quality education.
• Helping them understand and assert their rights.
• By breaking down the social and cultural barriers that prevent girls and young women from becoming educated and empowered.

Revenue

BESTY expects to generate income from a variety of sources, including:

• Donations from individuals, corporations and foundations are our most important source of income. We rely on the support of these donors to fund our programs and activities.
• Grants from governments and international organizations are another important source of income. We are grateful for the support of these partners, who enable us to make a difference in the lives of girls and young women.

Viewpoints

BESTY plans to continue to grow and have a positive impact on the lives of girls and young women in Cameroon. We are committed to providing high-quality products and services that meet the needs of girls and young women. We are also committed to generating sustainable revenues that will enable us to pursue our mission.

We are confident that our business model is sustainable and will enable us to continue our mission of empowering girls and young women in Cameroon.

BESTY plans to become financially sustainable by generating revenue from a variety of sources, including:

• Sustainable donations and grants

BESTY relies on the support of individuals, corporations and foundations to fund its programs and activities. We are committed to developing lasting partnerships with these donors to secure long-term funding.

• Sale of products and services

BESTY is considering offering a pay-per-use version of its mobile application that would provide additional functionality. We believe this option would be a valuable source of revenue that would enable us to cover the costs of developing and maintaining the application.

• Service contracts with governments

BESTY works with the Cameroonian government to promote girls' education and women's empowerment. We are in discussion with the government about the possibility of signing service contracts that would enable us to provide our products and services to a greater number of girls and young women.

• Raising investment capital

BESTY is considering raising investment capital from private investors. We believe this option would be a valuable source of funding that would enable us to accelerate our growth and expand our impact.

We are convinced that our business model is viable and will enable us to pursue our mission of empowering girls and young women in Cameroon.

Implementation plan

Here's an overview of our execution plan to become financially sustainable:

Year 1

• Focus on raising sustainable donations and grants to fund core programs and activities.
• Start developing a paid version of the BESTY mobile app.
• Investigate the possibility of signing service contracts with the government.

Year 2

• Launch paid version of BESTY mobile application.
• Start negotiating service contracts with the government.

Year 3

• Increase revenues from the sale of products and services.
• Start raising investment capital.
• We are confident that we can achieve our financial goals and become a financially viable organization.