Dignity App

Centre for Women Empowerment in Technology (CWE-TECH)

Dignity App

Dignity App connecting girls and young women to vital SRH tools, fighting the Triple Threat of HIV/AIDS, GBV, and early marriages.

Homa Bay County, Kenya

KEN

Nonprofit

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The Dignity App addresses the Triple Threat of HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence (GBV), and early marriages among adolescent girls and young women in Homa Bay County, Kenya. In Homa Bay, approximately 33% of girls aged 15–19 are either mothers or pregnant with their first child, nearly double the national average of 18%. Additionally, the county has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Kenya, with 6.2% of youth aged 15–24 living with HIV, over three times the national average. GBV is also prevalent, with rape and defilement rates at 38.6% and 30.1% respectively, significantly higher than the national averages of 12.9% and 7.1%. These issues are compounded by factors such as poverty, limited access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, and harmful cultural practices. For instance, the practice of "sex for fish" in Homa Bay fishing communities exposes girls to HIV and early pregnancies. Furthermore, poverty is a leading cause of GBV in the county, with economic hardships fueling family conflicts and violence. The Dignity App aims to bridge the gap in SRH education and services, providing girls with accessible, culturally relevant, and confidential resources to make informed decisions, seek help, and protect their rights.

The Dignity App is a mobile-based digital platform designed to empower adolescent girls and young women by providing discreet, culturally relevant access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services, information, and support. The app addresses the Triple Threat of HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence (GBV), and early marriages by offering a safe space where users can learn about their health rights, locate nearby clinics, access emergency help, and connect with trained counselors or peer mentors—all through their phones. Key features include: • SRH education modules tailored to local languages and cultural contexts • Geo-tagged service directories for accessing youth-friendly health centers • Chatbot and live support for mental health, GBV, or SRH-related concerns • Emergency SOS function for immediate help in cases of violence or coercion • Gamified learning and incentive-based engagement to encourage consistent use Built using Android-native technologies with offline functionality, the Dignity App ensures accessibility even in low-connectivity areas. Its modular design allows easy integration with local health systems, NGOs, and community-based resources. By placing information and services directly in the hands of girls, the Dignity App breaks barriers of stigma, distance, and fear—delivering dignity, one download at a time.

The Dignity App primarily serves adolescent girls and young women aged 10–35 in Homa Bay County, Kenya—one of the most underserved and vulnerable populations in the country. These girls often face multiple, overlapping challenges: high rates of HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence, early and forced marriages, and limited access to youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. In rural communities, cultural taboos, stigma, poverty, and lack of digital resources often silence girls’ voices and restrict their access to accurate health information and safe support systems. Many girls are left to navigate life-threatening risks—such as coercive sex, teen pregnancy, or dropping out of school—without guidance, protection, or options. The Dignity App offers a confidential, culturally relevant, and accessible platform to change that. It empowers girls with: • SRH education they can understand and trust • Location-based referrals to clinics and safe spaces • Live and AI-assisted chat support for mental health and GBV • Emergency SOS tools to report abuse discreetly By meeting girls where they are—on their mobile devices—the app enables them to make informed, autonomous decisions, builds resilience, and opens pathways to a healthier, more empowered future.