Oyuna

Oyuna aims to cut through cultural barriers and stigmas associated with menstruation by offering a safe, anonymous platform where users can ask questions and receive reliable information.

Comment

Inspiration

In 2021, we've ran Period campaign to enable access to sanitary products for school girls reaching around 1500-2000 girls across 5 outer-district schools in Ulaanbaatar. We've placed a box anonymous access to sanitary product kits in these schools. The results proved the adolescent girls need independent access to not only sanitary products and education around menstruation. We plan to launch the Oyuna after we further develop the safety guardrails and contents by local healthcare experts.

"Oyuna" - An AI Chatbot for Menstrual Health Support in Mongolia

Introduction and Background

In Mongolia, adolescent girls face significant challenges related to menstrual health management (MHM). A comprehensive study on MHM practices revealed a lack of formal education on menstruation within the school curriculum, limited knowledge among girls, prevalent misconceptions perpetuated by mothers and sisters, and inadequate support from teachers and school staff. Cultural taboos and stigmas surrounding menstruation further exacerbate these issues, leading to embarrassment, anxiety, and decreased school attendance during menstrual periods.

The study highlighted specific challenges:

  • Limited MHM Education: Health education classes are insufficient, with recent curriculum changes reducing focus on MHM topics.
  • Knowledge Gaps and Misconceptions: Girls often receive vague or incorrect information, leading to unhealthy practices.
  • Unsupportive School Environment: Restricted access to toilets, lack of privacy, and unsympathetic attitudes from teachers and staff hinder effective MHM.
  • Cultural Taboos and Stigma: Menstruation is considered a private matter, leading to silence and embarrassment, especially in mixed-gender settings.
  • Inadequate Support Structures: Male teachers are less approachable, and even female teachers may not provide adequate support due to discomfort or lack of time. These challenges negatively impact girls' education, health, and psychosocial well-being. There is a critical need for accessible, accurate, and culturally sensitive resources to empower girls with knowledge and support, and to foster a more understanding community environment.

Project Description

"Oyuna" is an Gemini-powered website designed to address these challenges by providing accurate, culturally appropriate menstrual health support to girls, parents, teachers, and boys across Mongolia. Leveraging Gemini's Mongolian language capabilities, Oyuna communicates fluently in Mongolian, with age and role appropriate tone and guardrails, ensuring clarity and comprehension.

Key Features

Role-Based Interactions: Users select their role—girl, parent, teacher, or boy—upon initiating a conversation. The chatbot tailors responses and content based on the selected role, providing relevant information and guidance.

  • Information Assistant: Developed with inputs of local healthcare professionals and educators, the chatbot covers topics such as menstruation, puberty, hygiene practices, myth-busting, and emotional support. It doesn't diagnose or offer medical advice with guardrails to ensure safe conversation.
  • Cultural Sensitivity: Oyuna addresses sensitive topics with discretion while promoting accurate information and supporting help seeking.
  • Accessibility: Available via a web interface and mobile with plans for Text Message and Facebook Messenger, Oyuna is accessible on various devices and can be installed as Progressive Web App.
  • User Privacy and Anonymity: The chatbot ensures confidential conversations without requiring personal identifiable information, encouraging users to seek information without fear or embarrassment.
Share this project:

Updates