The Helpline Project

The lack of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education remains a critical issue affecting adolescents, particularly girls. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 21 million girls aged 15-19 years become pregnant each year, with complications related to pregnancy and childbirth being a leading cause of death for this age group. Additionally, UNESCO reports that 1 in 3 girls worldwide is denied access to sex education. These statistics underscore the urgent need for targeted education and advocacy in this area.

Nigeria faces significant challenges in providing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education for adolescents. According to data from the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2018, teenage pregnancy rates remain high, with approximately 23% of girls aged 15-19 having begun childbearing, which can lead to increased health risks for both mother and child. Open discussions about menstruation, reproductive rights and sex education are often considered inappropriate and even a taboo in many Nigerian communities. This leads to an absence of accurate information and perpetuates harmful practices.

According to data from the Abia State Ministry of Health, teenage pregnancy rates are among the highest in South-Eastern Nigeria. Additionally, access to quality sexual and reproductive health education is limited, especially in rural areas. Cultural norms and taboos often hinder open discussions about these topics, leaving adolescents with inadequate knowledge and skills to make informed decisions. The scale of the problem is devastating, with millions of adolescents lacking access to adequate sexual and reproductive health education

Helpline project directly targets this gap, by focusing on adolescents, particularly girls, who are at a critical stage in their lives regarding sexual and reproductive health. This project aims to provide these adolescents with the knowledge and skills that will empower them to make informed decisions, positively influencing their lives and create a broader community where sexual and reproductive health rights are respected and advocated for by a new generation of empowered advocates.

By empowering adolescents through interactive workshops, mentorship programs, and the creation of multimedia educational content, Picture Her Rights addresses this pressing issue. It equips adolescents, especially girls, with accurate information about their sexual and reproductive health. Through visual storytelling and advocacy, the project not only educates but also challenges misconceptions and fosters meaningful dialogues within target communities.

Helpline project recognizes that traditional approaches to sexual and reproductive health education in Nigeria may not effectively engage today's youth. The project therefore leverages media tools, which are widely accessible to adolescents, to deliver engaging, interactive, and culturally relevant content on sexual and reproductive health, which will also empower them to become advocates for good sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Helpline project is an educational innovative solution that employs a dynamic and interactive approach to deliver crucial information about sexual and reproductive health to adolescents. The program harnesses the power of multimedia, including videos, podcasts, visual materials, and photography, to create engaging and relatable content that resonates with today's tech-savvy youth. The project will utilize readily available technology, such as smartphones, digital cameras, computers, and online platforms to enable participants create multimedia content and access the digital learning hub for continuous learning and collaboration. Picture Her Rights will provide the following sexual and reproductive health education opportunities:

• Multimedia SRHR Curriculum: The Helpline project will work with a developed curriculum that covers a wide range of essential topics, including anatomy, menstruation, contraception, sex education, consent, gender equality, and reproductive rights. This curriculum serves as the foundation for the educational content that will be created and shared.
• Interactive Workshops and Mentoring: Trained educators and mentors will facilitate workshops where participants learn multimedia production techniques, storytelling skills, and effective advocacy strategies. Mentors are paired with participants to offer guidance, technical expertise, and emotional support throughout their journey in creating impactful sexual and reproductive health content. These hands-on sessions provide practical guidance and enhance the participants' ability to create impactful content and strengthen the participants' confidence and skills.
• Advocacy through Visual Storytelling: The Helpline project encourages adolescents to express themselves, take the lead in their own learning process and advocate for their sexual and reproductive health rights through youth-produced educational content and visual storytelling. This includes using photography, videography, and graphic design to create compelling narratives that raise awareness and challenge societal norms.
• Digital Learning Hub: To facilitate on going learning and collaboration, the Helpline project establishes an online platform. This platform features a curated library of multimedia resources, interactive e-learning modules, and a community forum for participants to exchange ideas, seek support, and share their creations.
• Community Screenings and Exhibitions: The project will organize events to showcase the participants' multimedia projects within their communities. These exhibitions are aimed towards sparking conversations, challenging misconceptions, and raising awareness about sexual and reproductive health issues.
• Advocacy Campaigns and Social Media Engagement: Participants are guided in launching online advocacy campaigns, leveraging social media platforms to amplify their message and engage a broader audience. This digital outreach extends the impact of their advocacy efforts.

The Helpline project will collaborate with the government, SRHR experts, organizations and the government to provide participants with access to specialized knowledge, more resources, and support, further enriching their learning and advocacy experience. This will train informed advocates for sexual and reproductive health rights, utilizing the power of multimedia to drive meaningful change within their communities.

The Helpline project is tailored to serve 50 adolescents, with a majority being girls, recognizing the unique challenges and vulnerabilities they face as regards sexual and reproductive health. This demographic encompasses individuals aged 10 to 18, at a critical stage in their development where they are navigating important decisions about their bodies, relationships, and future.

In Nigeria, particularly in Abia State, access to quality sexual and reproductive health education is limited, especially for girls. Harmful cultural norms often hinder open discussions about these topics, leaving adolescents with inadequate knowledge and skills to make informed decisions. Girls, in particular, face additional challenges due to societal norms surrounding gender roles and expectations. Moreover, traditional approaches to sexual and reproductive health education often do not resonate with today's tech-savvy youth.

The program's primary aim is to directly and meaningfully improve the lives of these adolescents by providing them with comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education in a manner that is engaging, relatable, and empowering. By placing a special emphasis on girls within the target population, the program addresses a specific need for empowering this demographic, challenging harmful gender norms and stereotypes that may limit their potential and opportunities. It encourages them to envision a future where their rights and choices are respected.

While the program has a focus on girls, it is inclusive of all adolescents, ensuring that boys also benefit from comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education. This approach fosters mutual respect, understanding, and healthy relationships.

In addition to SRHR education, participants gain valuable life skills such as communication, critical thinking, and advocacy. These skills are transferable and can benefit them in various aspects of their lives. The project's community screenings and exhibitions will stimulate conversations about sexual and reproductive health, breaking down taboos and enabling communities to become more informed and supportive. In a rapidly advancing technological landscape, participants will develop digital literacy skills as they engage with multimedia tools. This skill set is invaluable for their personal and professional growth. Through hands-on workshops, mentorship programs, and advocacy initiatives, the program will empower adolescents to take ownership of their learning and become advocates for their own sexual and reproductive health rights.

By directly addressing the unique needs of these adolescents, the Helpline project aims to have a transformative impact on their lives, empowering them to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and become advocates for their rights and well-being. 

SieDi-Hub is positioned to deliver the Helpline project innovative solution in Abia State as our Office is headquartered in this location. Our collective expertise, diverse backgrounds, and deep commitment to youth empowerment and sexual and reproductive health rights uniquely qualify us for this endeavour. We are deeply embedded in the communities we serve, with a strong understanding of the local culture, challenges, opportunities and needs.

The team shares a deep commitment and is united by a sense of urgency to address the systemic issues surrounding sexual and reproductive health education. This shared belief in the transformative power of our work fuels our dedication and drives us to make a meaningful impact.

Collaboration is a fundamental aspect of our team's approach. We work closely with a network of professionals and civil society organizations, to provide comprehensive and holistic support to survivors. This collaborative spirit extends beyond our immediate team, as we actively engage with schools, healthcare providers, and government agencies to create a collective response to sexual and reproductive health challenges.

For the implementation of the Helpline project, we have identified key team members who will be actively involved:

Rachel Sochi Ogbonna is the Strategic Partnership and Growth Lead. With a background in program management and expertise in areas such as Gender Equality, Girls Education, Policy and Advocacy, Rachel will provide critical guidance in strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement. She grew up in Nigeria and as a youth, she understands the peculiarity of challenges faced by this population. She is the project lead for our innovative solution Picture Her Rights.

Our team is further made up of youths who have extensive experience in projects related to gender-based violence, and child abuse, sexual and reproductive health, among others. Working with young people, we will be able to provide crucial mental health and emotional support counselling and other services to handle unexpected project risks and outcomes

 Our team is youth-led, with proximity to the communities, diverse expertise, shared commitment, collaborative approach and well-equipped to design and deliver the Picture Her Rights solution, ensuring meaningful impact in the lives of the adolescents we serve. Our team is a mix of individuals with skill sets that will provide a multi-disciplinary approach to addressing the complex challenges surrounding sexual and reproductive health education for young persons. This expertise ensures that our approach is inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of the target population.

The Helpline project is at the pilot stage. The project has been implemented in a secondary school in Umuahia, Abia State. It aims to directly and meaningfully improve the lives of adolescents by providing them with accurate information and empowering them to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. By placing a special emphasis on girls within the target population, the project challenges harmful gender norms and stereotypes, encouraging girls to envision a future where their rights and choices are respected. The SieDi-Hub team, consisting of dedicated professionals with diverse expertise in gender equality, advocacy, and youth empowerment, leads the implementation of the Helpline initiative. The team collaborates closely with government agencies, SRHR experts, and civil society organizations to enrich participants' learning and advocacy experience.

We are applying to Solve because we recognize the invaluable opportunity it presents to connect with a diverse network of partners who can provide support to advance our Helpline Project. Securing financial resources to scale our project effectively is important. However, beyond financial support, we are seeking technical expertise, mentorship, and access to networks that can help us overcome various barriers we face in implementing the Helpline project.

One of the key barriers we encounter is the need for technical assistance in refining our multimedia educational digital learning platform to ensure maximum engagement and effectiveness the adolescents. Solve can facilitate connections with experts in multimedia production, educational technology, and youth engagement who can provide valuable insights and guidance in this regard.

Furthermore, Solve's extensive network can assist us in identifying potential collaborators and partners, both locally and globally, who share our vision and can amplify the impact of our initiative. By leveraging Solve's platform, we hope to forge strategic partnerships that enable us to reach more adolescents, enhance our program's scalability, and drive meaningful change in the realm of sexual and reproductive health education.

Overall, while financial support is essential, we recognize Solve as a platform that offers comprehensive support to Solvers, addressing a wide range of barriers beyond funding. We are eager to leverage Solve's resources, expertise, and network to overcome challenges, refine our approach, and ultimately empower adolescents to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

Our solution, Helpline, is innovative in several ways:

1. Multimedia Approach: Unlike traditional sexual and reproductive health education programs that rely primarily on classroom lectures or printed materials, Helpline utilizes a dynamic multimedia approach. By harnessing the power of videos, podcasts, visual materials, and photography, we create engaging and relatable content that resonates with today's tech-savvy youth. This approach ensures that the information is accessible, engaging, and memorable, leading to better retention and understanding among adolescents.
2. Interactive Learning: Helpline goes beyond passive learning by providing interactive workshops and mentoring sessions. Participants not only consume information but also actively engage in creating multimedia content, such as videos and visual stories, related to sexual and reproductive health. This hands-on approach fosters creativity, critical thinking, and empowerment among adolescents, allowing them to take ownership of their learning and become advocates for their own health and rights.
3. Digital Learning Hub: The establishment of a digital learning hub provides participants with continuous access to educational resources and collaboration opportunities. This online platform features interactive e-learning modules, multimedia resources, and a community forum where participants can exchange ideas, seek support, and share their creations. By leveraging technology, Helpline extends its reach beyond physical workshops and enables ongoing learning and networking among adolescents in diverse communities.
4. Youth-Led Advocacy: Helpline empowers adolescents, especially girls, to become advocates for sexual and reproductive health rights through visual storytelling and online advocacy campaigns. By amplifying the voices of young people and challenging societal norms, Helpline catalyzes broader positive impacts by inspiring others in this space to adopt youth-centered approaches and prioritize comprehensive SRHR education. This shift towards youth-led advocacy has the potential to change the market/landscape by fostering a more inclusive and rights-based approach to sexual and reproductive health education, where the voices and experiences of adolescents are central to program design and implementation.

Overall, Helpline's innovative approach to sexual and reproductive health education not only addresses the immediate needs of adolescents but also catalyzes broader positive impacts by empowering young people to drive change within their communities and beyond. By leveraging multimedia tools, interactive learning, digital platforms, and youth-led advocacy, Helpline has the potential to transform the market/landscape of SRHR education, creating a more equitable and empowering environment for adolescents worldwide.

Helpline will have a significant impact on the problem of inadequate sexual and reproductive health education among adolescents, particularly girls, through a well-defined theory of change:

Helpline will conduct interactive workshops, provide multimedia educational resources, facilitate mentorship programs, and organize community screenings and exhibitions.

Through these activities, adolescents will gain access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education, develop multimedia content related to SRHR, acquire digital literacy skills, and engage in advocacy campaigns.

Our expected output are:

• Increased Knowledge: Adolescents will have a better understanding of sexual and reproductive health topics, including anatomy, contraception, consent, and gender equality.
• Improved Skills: Participants will develop multimedia production skills, storytelling abilities, critical thinking, and advocacy strategies.
• Enhanced Confidence: Adolescents, especially girls, will gain confidence in discussing SRHR issues openly and challenging harmful societal norms.
• Expanded Networks: Participants will connect with mentors, peers, and experts, creating a supportive community for learning and collaboration.

Our expected outcomes are:

• Behavior Change: Adolescents will make informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health, leading to reduced rates of unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and gender-based violence.
• Empowerment: Participants will become advocates for their own SRHR rights, promoting gender equality, consent, and reproductive autonomy within their communities.
• Social Change: The collective efforts of empowered adolescents will challenge taboos, stigma, and discrimination surrounding SRHR, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all young people.
• Systemic Impact: Helpline's approach will influence policymakers, educators, and healthcare providers to prioritize comprehensive SRHR education, leading to sustainable changes in policies, curricula, and service delivery mechanisms.

This theory of change is supported by evidence from existing research on the effectiveness of youth-led, multimedia-based SRHR interventions, as well as insights gathered from interviews and consultations with the target population. By targeting both immediate outputs and longer-term outcomes, Helpline aims to create lasting positive impacts on the lives of adolescents and contribute to broader societal change in the field of sexual and reproductive health education.

Our impact goals for Helpline are deeply rooted in the urgent need to transform sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education among adolescents, particularly in regions like Abia State, Nigeria, where access to comprehensive information is limited. Our first goal centers on increasing adolescents' knowledge and awareness of SRH topics, ranging from anatomy to gender equality. Through pre- and post-workshop assessments, we aim to track improvements in participants' understanding of these crucial concepts, ensuring that they have the information needed to make informed decisions about their health.

Empowerment and agency are fundamental to our approach. Our second goal focuses on empowering adolescents, especially girls, to take control of their SRH decisions and advocate for their rights. We will measure progress by assessing participants' self-efficacy, confidence in discussing SRH issues, and their active engagement in advocacy activities. By instilling a sense of ownership over their health and rights, we aim to foster a generation of informed advocates who can drive positive change within their communities.

Behavior change is a key outcome we seek to achieve. Our third goal aims to facilitate positive behavior change among adolescents regarding their SRH practices. This includes promoting the adoption of contraceptive methods, reducing risky sexual behaviors, and increasing utilization of SRH services. Through ongoing monitoring and evaluation, we will track indicators such as contraceptive use rates and changes in sexual health behaviors to gauge the effectiveness of our interventions.

Community awareness and acceptance are essential for sustainable impact. Our fourth goal is to raise awareness and promote acceptance of comprehensive SRH education within target communities. We will utilize surveys, interviews, and community events to assess changes in attitudes, beliefs, and practices related to SRH education and gender norms. By engaging with community members and stakeholders, we aim to create an environment where SRH education is valued and prioritized.

Finally, our fifth goal focuses on catalyzing policy and systems change. We seek to advocate for policy reforms and institutional changes that prioritize comprehensive SRH education in schools and healthcare settings. By monitoring policy developments and collaborating with local partners, we aim to influence systemic change that will have a lasting impact on adolescent health outcomes.

To measure our progress towards these impact goals, we will employ a mix of quantitative and qualitative indicators, including assessments, surveys, interviews, and policy analysis. By continuously evaluating our efforts against these goals, we will ensure that Helpline remains focused on creating meaningful and sustainable change in the lives of adolescents and their communities.

The core technology that powers Helpline is a multifaceted approach leveraging modern digital tools and multimedia content creation, along with traditional knowledge systems, to deliver comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education to adolescents. At the heart of our solution is a digital learning platform, which serves as a hub for accessing educational resources, interactive modules, and community forums.

One key aspect of our technology is the development of a multimedia SRH curriculum, which covers a wide range of topics such as anatomy, menstruation, contraception, consent, and gender equality. This curriculum serves as the foundation for creating engaging educational content, including videos, podcasts, visual materials, and interactive e-learning modules. By harnessing the power of multimedia, we aim to cater to the diverse learning preferences of today's tech-savvy youth, making SRH education more accessible and engaging.

Additionally, our solution incorporates interactive workshops and mentoring programs facilitated by trained educators and mentors. Through these workshops, participants learn multimedia production techniques, storytelling skills, and effective advocacy strategies. Mentors provide guidance and support, fostering a collaborative learning environment where adolescents can develop their skills and confidence in advocating for their SRH rights.

Furthermore, Helpline utilizes digital outreach and social media engagement to amplify its impact and reach a broader audience. Participants are guided in launching online advocacy campaigns, leveraging platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to raise awareness and spark conversations about SRH issues. By harnessing the power of social media, we aim to create a ripple effect, inspiring others to join the movement for comprehensive SRH education and advocacy.

In addition to modern digital technologies, our solution also values traditional knowledge systems and community-based approaches. We recognize the importance of culturally relevant and context-specific interventions, which is why we actively engage with local communities, stakeholders, and traditional leaders to ensure that our content is culturally sensitive and responsive to local needs.

Overall, the core technology powering Helpline is a blend of modern digital tools, multimedia content creation, community engagement, and traditional knowledge systems. By harnessing the strengths of both modern and ancestral technologies, we aim to create a holistic and inclusive approach to SRH education that benefits adolescents and their communities.

Our project team consists:

Full-time Staff: 5 dedicated members. This includes our Project Lead, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Communications and Digital Campaign Associate, Psychologist, and Finance and Admin Officer

Part-time Staff: 2 part-time staff who contribute their expertise to the project. This includes an external consultant specializing in multimedia production and an experienced SRHR educator who assists in curriculum development.

Volunteers: At present, we have 5 volunteers who support us in specific areas of our project.

This well-balanced team composition allows us to effectively manage and implement our project, ensuring a comprehensive and impactful approach to adolescent SRHR education and advocacy.

We have been working on our solution for 1 year.

Incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) is at the core of our approach in implementing Picture Her Rights. We recognize that cultural contexts differ, and we approach our curriculum and advocacy efforts with sensitivity to local customs, beliefs, and traditions. Our educational materials and advocacy campaigns are designed to be inclusive and respectful of diverse cultural backgrounds. All voices of participants, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or socio-economic background, are valued and given a platform.

While the project has a special emphasis on girls, we recognize the importance of engaging all genders in the conversation around sexual and reproductive health. This inclusive approach fosters a holistic understanding of the issues at hand.

We will provide educational materials in English and Igbo, which are the languages spoken within the community. This ensures that language is not a barrier to access important information about sexual and reproductive health.

We are also committed to creating environments that are safe, welcoming, and affirming for all participants. This includes implementing policies and practices that prevent discrimination and harassment based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and other identity factors. Our Child protection policy and Sexual Harassment Exploitation and Abuse Policy will play key roles in ensuring this is complied with. Our team undergoes regular training on DEI principles and cultural competence. This enables us to approach our work with a nuanced understanding of the diverse perspectives within the community.

We actively seek input and feedback from the community and participants throughout the project through a feedback mechanism. This ensures that our approach remains responsive to their unique needs and concerns.

By prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusivity in our approach, we aim to implement a project that is not only effective in delivering sexual and reproductive health education but also respects and celebrates the richness of experiences and identities within the community. This ensures that our work is relevant, accessible, and empowering for all participants, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Our business model is crafted to achieve social impact and financial sustainability. This allows us to effectively empower adolescents, particularly girls, with comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education and advocacy. We recognize that for long-term success, striking a balance between our mission and revenue generation is crucial. Here's a breakdown of how our business model operates:

1. Free Access to SRH Education and Advocacy: We pride ourselves on providing free access to a wide-ranging SRH curriculum, multimedia resources, and advocacy tools through our user-friendly online platform. This ensures that adolescents, especially girls, across Nigeria, with a special focus on Abia State, can readily access invaluable knowledge and skills in SRH.
2. Collaborations and Partnerships: We believe in the strength of partnerships. By teaming up with local NGOs, educational institutions, and healthcare providers, we expand our reach and offer additional layers of support and resources. This symbiotic relationship benefits our program participants by granting them access to a broader network of services, while partners gain a direct channel to engage with and support youth in SRHR.
3. Impact Measurement and Reporting: Transparency and accountability are at the core of our operations. We provide comprehensive impact reports and data-driven insights to our partners, offering tangible evidence of our program's effectiveness and the positive changes in SRH knowledge and behavior. This empowers donors, stakeholders, and partners to make informed decisions and implement targeted interventions.
4. Revenue Generation: To sustain our goal, we've developed several revenue streams such as; fee-based workshops, trainings and consulting services on SRHR, multimedia production, and advocacy; and opportunities to sponsor our community events and exhibitions showcasing the work of participants, offering a unique chance for visibility and support.
5. Partnerships and Collaboration: As we expand our project reach and strengthen our partnerships, we aim to refine our activities and engage with additional stakeholders. This expansion will ensure both the financial sustainability and scalability of our impact, leading to positive SRH outcomes for more young people in Nigeria, particularly in Abia State.

It's important to note that while the revenue-generating components contribute to the financial sustainability of the program, our primary focus remains on achieving our social impact goals. Any revenue generated is reinvested into program expansion, curriculum refinement, and enhanced support for participants. This blended model allows us to maintain the integrity of our mission while ensuring long-term viability and scalability.

As a non-governmental organisation which recognises the shrinking civic space that makes it difficult for non-profits to thrive, we plan to implement a multifaceted approach that leverages both revenue-generating strategies and strategic resource management. They include:

• Donations from Philanthropists: Through our social media and website, we request anonymous donations from well-meaning individuals to aid in the sustainability of our programs and initiatives.
• Strengthening Partnerships: Strategic partnerships and collaborations with like-minded organizations, NGOs, educational institutions, and businesses will ensure we sustain co-funded projects, joint initiatives, or shared resources, which will reduce financial burdens and increase the impact of our programs.
• Engaging in Social Entrepreneurship: We will develop high-quality, customizable resources and branded merchandizes that can be sold for a fee to companies, philanthropists and individuals. This will provide our supporters with a tangible way to contribute while promoting awareness of our mission. Revenue generated from merchandise sales will be reinvested in program activities. This revenue stream will be continuously expanded and refined to meet the evolving needs of our target audience.
• Strategic Resource Allocation: We will implement rigorous financial management practices to ensure efficient allocation and utilization of resources. This includes careful budgeting, cost control measures, and prioritization of initiatives that align with our mission.
• Grants and Donations: We will continue to apply for grant opportunities in line with our vision and mission, in order to sustain our programs. We will apply to different donor agencies and cultivate relationships with a broad spectrum of philanthropic partners.

By implementing this plan, we aim to achieve financial sustainability while remaining true to our mission of empowering adolescents and youths through innovative solutions.