Threads of Truth
The specific problem we are addressing is the lack of accessible and stigma-free sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information, which is a global concern as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 3.7. This lack of access hinders young people, especially young women and girls in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) like Tanzania, from making informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health and well-being.
Globally, there are approximately 1.8 billion young people aged 10 to 24, representing a quarter of the world's population. In Tanzania, the youth (15-35 years old) make up about 34% of the total population. Despite making up a significant portion of the population, young people often face numerous barriers in accessing SRHR information and services. These barriers are deeply entrenched in gender inequalities, limiting socio-cultural norms, and economic disparities.
In Tanzania, as per the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey, only 36% of young women aged 15-24 have comprehensive knowledge about HIV. Additionally, the unmet need for family planning among married women aged 15-19 is 30%, higher than any other age group. Moreover, teenage pregnancy rates remain high, with 27% of women aged 20-24 having given birth before the age of 18. These statistics reflect the dire need for improved SRHR information and services.
Threads of Truth aims to address these challenges by utilizing the universal appeal and transformative power of fashion to open dialogues around SRHR issues. Our approach is innovative and culturally sensitive, with the potential to break down the barriers of stigma and taboo that often surround SRHR topics. By weaving SRHR narratives into fashion designs and collections, we can engage young people in conversations about their sexual and reproductive health and rights in a way that is relatable and non-threatening. This approach will not only raise awareness but also empower young people, especially young women and girls, to take control of their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Our solution is directly aligned with the goal of the 4HerPower Challenge to improve the quality of and access to SRHR information, commodities, and services for young people. We believe that by harnessing the power of fashion, Threads of Truth can contribute to meaningful, equitable, and sustainable improvements in SRHR outcomes for young people globally and in Tanzania.
Threads of Truth is an innovative approach that uses fashion as a medium to promote dialogue around sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) issues. Our solution aims to educate and raise awareness among young people, especially young women and girls, in a creative and culturally sensitive manner.
Our process involves organizing fashion shows where each design or collection tells a story about SRHR. The collections are meticulously curated to highlight specific SRHR themes, such as consent, contraceptive options, menstruation, and more. The garments and accessories used in the fashion shows are designed with symbolic elements that visually represent these themes, making the narrative tangible and relatable for the audience.
To ensure that our message reaches a broader audience, we have organized 4 fashion shows in three Tanzanian regions - Mwanza, Tabora, Dar es Salaam, and Tanga. These events have provided an engaging platform for communities to come together and openly discuss SRHR issues that are often stigmatized or considered taboo.
At each fashion show, we also provide educational materials and resources on SRHR, along with contact information for local organizations and health services that can offer support and further information. This approach ensures that the audience not only gains awareness but also has access to the necessary tools and resources to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.
In terms of technology, we leverage social media and other digital platforms to promote our events and share educational content. We also use these platforms to facilitate discussions and engage with our audience before and after the fashion shows. This approach allows us to maintain a connection with our audience and continue the dialogue on SRHR issues.
Our solution is unique because it combines the power of storytelling with the universal appeal of fashion, creating a culturally relevant and impactful way to address SRHR issues. Threads of Truth is more than just a fashion show; it is a movement that aims to break down barriers, challenge societal norms, and empower young people to take control of their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Our solution serves primarily young people, with a focus on young women and girls, in communities across Tanzania. These individuals often lack comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) education due to cultural taboos, limited resources, and inadequate school-based programs. They are often underserved and marginalized when it comes to accessing reliable and accurate information about SRHR.
Young women and girls in Tanzania face numerous challenges regarding their sexual and reproductive health. They often have limited access to contraceptive methods and comprehensive sex education, leading to high rates of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Moreover, cultural norms and stigmatization around discussing SRHR topics can prevent them from seeking the information and support they need.
Our fashion shows will directly address the needs of these young individuals by providing a creative and culturally sensitive platform for SRHR education. By using fashion as a medium, we will engage young people in a way that resonates with them, breaking down barriers and fostering open and meaningful dialogue about SRHR issues.
The fashion shows will highlight various SRHR themes, such as consent, contraceptive options, menstruation, and more, through visually impactful designs and symbolic elements. This narrative approach will help demystify these topics, making them more accessible and relatable to the audience. The events will also provide educational materials and resources, ensuring that young people have access to the necessary tools and information to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.
By organizing fashion shows in different regions of Tanzania, we aim to reach young people from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that our message is inclusive and representative of the various communities we serve. Our goal is to create a ripple effect, where the young people we engage with will become advocates for SRHR in their communities, further spreading awareness and fostering positive change.
Ultimately, our solution will empower young people, especially young women and girls, to take control of their sexual and reproductive health and rights, leading to healthier and more informed communities in Tanzania. This empowerment will not only improve their individual lives but also contribute to positive social and cultural shifts, as young people become more informed, engaged, and proactive in advocating for their SRHR.
Our team is deeply connected to the communities we serve, with firsthand experience of the challenges and realities facing young people in Tanzania when it comes to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
Our team lead, Hannah, is a fashion enthusiast and designer who has personally experienced the difficulties faced by young women in accessing accurate and reliable SRHR information. Growing up in Tanzania, she saw friends and family struggle with the same issues, facing unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other SRHR-related challenges. This personal connection to the problem drives her passion for finding innovative solutions that resonate with young people in Tanzania.
Hannah's background in fashion and design is instrumental in developing a solution that leverages the power of creative expression to educate and engage young people on SRHR topics. Her understanding of the local culture, norms, and values ensures that the fashion shows are culturally sensitive and relevant to the communities they serve.
Our team is committed to engaging with the communities we serve in the design and implementation of our solution. We believe in the importance of community-driven approaches and actively seek feedback and input from the young people we aim to serve. This includes conducting focus groups, surveys, and other forms of community engagement to understand their needs, preferences, and challenges when it comes to SRHR education.
We have also established partnerships with local NGOs and community-based organizations to gain insights into the specific SRHR needs of different regions in Tanzania. These partnerships ensure that our solution is informed by the local context and tailored to the unique needs of each community we serve.
By combining Hannah's personal experience and passion with our team's commitment to community-driven approaches, we are well-positioned to deliver a solution that effectively addresses the SRHR needs of young people in Tanzania. Our fashion shows will not only provide an innovative platform for SRHR education but also empower young people to take control of their sexual and reproductive health and rights, leading to healthier and more informed communities in Tanzania.
- Strengthen the capacity and engagement of young innovators in the development, implementation and growth of solutions addressing their SRHR needs.
- Tanzania
- Growth: An organization with an established product, service, or business model that is rolled out in one or more communities
Our solution, Threads of Truth, has had a significant impact on the communities we have engaged with. So far, we have organized four fashion shows in three different regions in Tanzania - Mwanza, Tabora, Dar es Salaam, and Tanga. Through these events, we have reached approximately 1400 individuals.
These fashion shows have served as a platform to educate and engage people on the importance of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). By using fashion as a medium to tell stories about SRHR, we have created an innovative and creative way to bring these important issues to the forefront of people's minds, sparking dialogue and promoting a better understanding of SRHR.
The people we have served have had the opportunity to learn about SRHR in an interactive and engaging way, allowing them to better understand the challenges and barriers faced by many individuals when it comes to accessing necessary SRH information, commodities, and services. Our approach not only educates but also empowers individuals to take control of their own sexual and reproductive health, leading to improved outcomes and a more informed and aware population.
The impact of our solution is far-reaching, as the knowledge and information gained by those who have attended our fashion shows can be shared within their communities, creating a ripple effect that extends beyond the immediate audience. This grassroots approach to SRHR education and advocacy is crucial in reaching remote and underserved communities, where access to SRHR information and services is often limited.
Our solution, Threads of Truth, is innovative because it merges the world of fashion with the important issue of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). By incorporating narratives about SRHR into fashion shows, we are using a unique medium to promote dialogue and awareness around these issues. This approach is new and significantly improves the way SRHR information is disseminated, making it more accessible and engaging for the public.
The fashion industry has always been a powerful tool for self-expression and social commentary. Through our fashion shows, we are harnessing this power to shed light on SRHR issues, which are often shrouded in stigma and misinformation. Each design or collection tells a story about SRHR, visually representing the challenges and triumphs experienced by individuals in their SRHR journeys. This creative approach helps to break down barriers and spark conversations around a topic that is often difficult to discuss.
Our solution has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts in the SRHR space by inspiring others to use creative mediums to raise awareness and promote dialogue around these issues. The fashion industry is expansive, with a wide reach and influence. By tapping into this industry, we are opening up new avenues for SRHR advocacy and education.
The market for fashion with a cause is growing, and our solution is at the forefront of this trend. We are not only providing a platform for designers and artists to showcase their work but also giving them the opportunity to contribute to an important social cause. This can change the market by normalizing the integration of social issues into fashion and encouraging more designers and brands to use their platforms for advocacy.
Threads of Truth is an innovative solution that utilizes the powerful medium of fashion to promote dialogue and awareness around SRHR issues. Our approach is new and improves the way SRHR information is disseminated, making it more accessible and engaging for the public.
The potential for broader positive impacts in the SRHR space and the fashion industry is significant, as our solution opens up new avenues for advocacy and education. This innovative approach could change the market by normalizing the integration of social issues into fashion and encouraging more designers and brands to use their platforms for advocacy.
Over the next year, our impact goals for Threads of Truth are:
1. To reach an additional 5,000 people through our fashion shows, increasing awareness and promoting dialogue around SRHR issues.
2. To collaborate with at least five other organizations working in the SRHR space to amplify our impact and reach a wider audience.
3. To expand our presence on social media and other digital platforms, utilizing these channels to share SRHR information and stories from our fashion shows.
In order to achieve these goals, we plan to organize more fashion shows in different regions, targeting areas where SRHR issues are particularly prevalent. We will also seek out partnerships with other organizations working in the SRHR space, leveraging each other's networks and resources to amplify our impact. Finally, we will invest in our digital presence, utilizing social media and other online platforms to share SRHR information and stories from our fashion shows, reaching a wider audience.
Over the next five years, our impact goals for Threads of Truth are:
1. To reach an additional 100,000 people through our fashion shows and other channels, increasing awareness and promoting dialogue around SRHR issues on a larger scale.
2. To establish Threads of Truth as a leading organization in the SRHR space, recognized for our innovative approach to raising awareness and promoting dialogue around these issues.
3. To develop a comprehensive educational program that utilizes our fashion shows and other resources to provide SRHR education to young people in schools and communities.
In order to achieve these long-term goals, we plan to continue expanding our fashion show program, reaching new regions and audiences. We will also seek out additional partnerships and collaborations, leveraging the resources and networks of other organizations to amplify our impact.
We will invest in the development of educational resources and programs, utilizing our fashion shows and other materials to provide comprehensive SRHR education to young people. This will involve working closely with schools and communities to ensure that our programs are tailored to the needs of the populations we serve.
Our theory of change for Threads of Truth is based on the idea that storytelling and creative expression can be powerful tools for raising awareness and promoting dialogue around sensitive topics such as Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
Activities:
- Organizing fashion shows where each design or collection tells a story about SRHR.
- Collaborating with other organizations working in the SRHR space.
- Utilizing social media and other digital platforms to share SRHR information and stories from our fashion shows.
Immediate Outputs:
- Increased awareness and dialogue around SRHR issues.
- Greater engagement with the target population and other stakeholders in the SRHR space.
- Enhanced digital presence and reach, with more people accessing SRHR information online.
Short-term Outcomes:
- Greater understanding and knowledge about SRHR among the target population.
- Increased collaboration and partnerships between different stakeholders working in the SRHR space.
- A shift in attitudes and perceptions around SRHR, with more people recognizing the importance of addressing these issues.
Long-term Outcomes:
- Improved SRHR outcomes for the target population, with more people accessing the services and information they need.
- A change in the social and cultural norms that contribute to SRHR problems.
- A stronger ecosystem of organizations and stakeholders working together to address SRHR issues.
We believe that by creating a space where people can engage with SRHR issues in a creative and non-threatening way, we can help to break down the stigma and silence that often surrounds these topics. This, in turn, will lead to greater understanding, awareness, and dialogue, ultimately contributing to improved SRHR outcomes for the target population.
This belief is supported by research that has shown the positive impact of storytelling and creative expression on raising awareness and promoting dialogue around sensitive topics. Additionally, our past experiences organizing fashion shows in Tanzania have provided valuable insights and data that have informed our approach and strengthened our theory of change.
- Tanzania
- Tanzania
- Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit
Our solution team consists of the following members:
- Full-time staff: 3
- Part-time staff: 2
- Contractors or other workers: 0
This dedicated team works collaboratively to organize fashion shows, engage with stakeholders, and manage our digital platforms, among other tasks, to ensure the successful implementation of our solution.
We have been working on our solution since May 2023. In this time, we have successfully organized four fashion shows in three different regions of Tanzania – Mwanza, Tabora, Dar es Salaam, and Tanga. These events have allowed us to engage with local communities, promote dialogue on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and showcase the creative potential of fashion as a medium for social change. Our experience in these regions has provided valuable insights that will inform the future development and expansion of our solution.
Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity is a foundational pillar of our initiative, and it manifests in every aspect of our work.
Diversity in Leadership and Team Composition: We recognize the strength that comes from different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. Our leadership team represents a mix of gender, age, ethnicity, and professional backgrounds. We ensure that our hiring and recruitment process values diversity and aims at a balanced representation from different communities, especially those we serve.
Local Community Engagement: Our work revolves around addressing SRHR issues, which are deeply rooted in the cultural and socio-economic fabric of the communities. To ensure we are inclusive, we involve local communities in the design and decision-making process. We consistently host community discussions, allowing voices from all sections to be heard, especially those who are often marginalized.
Equitable Representation in Fashion Shows: Our fashion shows, which form the core of our solution, feature designs and narratives that cater to diverse experiences and stories. Models and participants come from various backgrounds, representing different races, ages, genders, and body types. This ensures that the audience can see themselves represented, breaking stereotypes and broadening the definition of beauty and worth.
Accessibility: We work diligently to make our fashion shows and related activities accessible to all, irrespective of their socio-economic status. Locations for our shows are selected considering ease of access, and we often provide transportation solutions for attendees from far-flung areas. Sign language interpreters and other necessary accommodations are made available to ensure that everyone can participate fully and equally.
Training & Awareness: Regular training sessions and workshops are held for our team members to build awareness about the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusivity. These sessions touch upon unconscious bias, cultural sensitivity, and strategies to ensure an inclusive environment. Feedback is collected after each session, and the curriculum is updated to address any gaps or emerging needs.
Feedback & Continuous Learning: We have established feedback mechanisms for our stakeholders and communities to voice their opinions, concerns, and suggestions. This helps us continuously evolve and make our approach more inclusive and equitable.
Our approach is in line with MIT Solve's commitment and understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusivity. We believe that true solutions to complex challenges can only arise when we include diverse voices, address systemic barriers, and create environments where every stakeholder feels valued.
Our team is committed to advancing these principles in every facet of our work, ensuring that we not only address SRHR issues effectively but also set an example for how inclusive solutions should be designed and implemented.
Our business model revolves around creating a sustainable and impactful solution to address Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) issues through the innovative medium of fashion shows, while also creating avenues for revenue generation.
Value Proposition: Our fashion shows serve as a platform to create awareness and promote dialogue on SRHR issues by incorporating narratives that resonate with the audience. We provide an engaging and creative medium for communities to learn about SRHR, breaking away from traditional and often less engaging methods of awareness campaigns.
Key Customers and Beneficiaries: Our primary beneficiaries are young people and communities in Tanzania who are directly impacted by SRHR issues. They receive valuable information and an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue on these topics. Our key customers include sponsors, donors, and ticket buyers who support our initiative and attend our shows.
Products/Services:
- Fashion Shows: Organizing and hosting fashion shows with SRHR narratives.
- Merchandise: Selling merchandise related to the shows such as clothing, accessories, and show-related memorabilia.
- Workshops and Training: Conducting workshops and training sessions on SRHR for communities and other interested parties.
How We Provide Our Products/Services:
- Fashion Shows: Our team of designers, models, and event organizers work together to plan and execute the fashion shows. Each show incorporates SRHR narratives and is hosted in various regions across Tanzania.
- Merchandise: The merchandise is designed by our team of designers and is made available for purchase at the shows and online.
- Workshops and Training: We collaborate with SRHR experts and trainers to develop and conduct the workshops and training sessions.
Revenue Streams:
- Sponsorships and Donations: We seek sponsorships and donations from organizations and individuals who support our cause.
- Ticket Sales: Revenue is generated from the sale of tickets for our fashion shows.
- Merchandise Sales: Revenue is generated from the sale of merchandise.
Why Customers and Beneficiaries Want or Need Our Products/Services:
- Fashion Shows: These shows provide an innovative and engaging way for communities to learn about and discuss SRHR issues, breaking the taboo around these topics.
- Merchandise: The merchandise allows supporters to take home a piece of the show and serves as a reminder of the important messages conveyed.
- Workshops and Training: These sessions provide valuable information and skills on SRHR, empowering communities to make informed decisions.
- Individual consumers or stakeholders (B2C)
Our plan for financial sustainability revolves around diversifying our revenue streams to ensure a steady influx of funds to support our work. Here are the key components of our financial sustainability plan:
Sponsorships and Partnerships:
- Engaging with local and international organizations that align with our mission to sponsor our fashion shows and other events.
- Building partnerships with brands and businesses that are interested in associating with our cause, in exchange for promotional opportunities during our events.
Ticket Sales:
- Generating revenue through the sale of tickets for our fashion shows. We aim to increase the number of shows and expand to more regions, thereby increasing ticket sales.
Merchandise Sales:
- Designing and selling merchandise related to our fashion shows, such as clothing, accessories, and show-related memorabilia. This will provide a steady source of income while also promoting our brand.
Workshops and Training:
- Conducting paid workshops and training sessions on SRHR for communities, schools, and other interested parties. These sessions will be facilitated by experts and will provide valuable information and skills to the participants.
Donations and Fundraising:
- Regularly conducting fundraising campaigns to gather donations from supporters.
- Applying for grants from organizations and foundations that support initiatives related to SRHR.
Online Platforms:
- Leveraging online platforms to reach a wider audience and generate revenue through virtual fashion shows, webinars, and online workshops.
Investment Capital:
- Exploring opportunities to raise investment capital from impact investors who are interested in supporting initiatives with a social cause.
In the long term, our aim is to create a balance between the different revenue streams, ensuring that the funds generated are sufficient to cover our expected expenses and support the growth of our initiative. We also plan to reinvest a portion of the profits back into the initiative to further expand our reach and impact.
By constantly innovating and adapting to the changing market and community needs, we are confident in our ability to achieve financial sustainability and continue our work in empowering communities with valuable information and dialogue on SRHR.