HERVoice: Empowering Women's Health in Nigeria.

The specific problem we are addressing lies in the inadequacy of healthcare data, particularly concerning women's health, in Nigeria's South Western region. This region, comprising states like Ondo, Ekiti, and Osun, faces significant healthcare challenges exacerbated by a dearth of comprehensive and granular data. Globally, Nigeria ranks poorly in healthcare access and quality indices, and within the country, the South Western region grapples with its unique set of challenges, particularly affecting women and vulnerable populations.

The scale of the problem is substantial, with millions of women in these states encountering barriers to accessing quality healthcare services. Nigeria contributes significantly to global maternal mortality rates, with about 58,000 maternal deaths annually, representing 19% of global maternal deaths. Additionally, the country's high adolescent fertility rate, with 19% of girls aged 15-19 already mothers or pregnant, underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions in women's health.

Several factors contribute to the healthcare challenges faced by women in the South Western region of Nigeria, including:

1. Limited Access: Many women in rural areas lack access to healthcare facilities due to geographic barriers and insufficient infrastructure.

2. Socioeconomic Factors: Poverty and limited financial resources hinder women's ability to seek timely healthcare, exacerbating health issues.

3. Cultural and Societal Norms: Patriarchal structures and traditional beliefs often restrict women's autonomy in healthcare decision-making and access to services.

4. Data Deficiency: The lack of comprehensive and granular health data hampers the development of targeted interventions and healthcare policies tailored to the specific needs of women in the region.

Our solution directly addresses these contributing factors by harnessing Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology to collect comprehensive qualitative and quantitative data on women's health. By engaging directly with women in Ondo, Ekiti, and Osun States through IVR systems, we aim to overcome barriers related to access, socioeconomic constraints, and cultural norms. IVR technology allows us to reach women even in remote areas, ensuring inclusivity in data collection.

Furthermore, by collecting granular data on women's health experiences, challenges, and preferences, we enable the development of targeted interventions that resonate with the community's specific needs. This approach empowers women to have a voice in shaping their healthcare and equips policymakers and healthcare providers with evidence-based insights to drive meaningful change.

Our solution, HERVoice, utilizes Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology to gather comprehensive data on women's health in Nigeria's South Western region, specifically in Ondo, Ekiti, and Osun States. IVR technology allows women to engage with our system using their mobile phones, regardless of internet connectivity, literacy levels, or location.

Here's how HERVoice works:

1. Data Collection: We create a series of automated phone calls to women in the target communities. These calls present recorded messages in local languages, prompting women to provide information on various aspects of their health, including reproductive health, maternal care, family planning, and general well-being.

2. Interactive Engagement: Women interact with the IVR system by responding to questions using their phone's keypad. They can share their experiences, concerns, and preferences regarding healthcare services anonymously and confidentially.

3. Data Harmonization: The data collected through the IVR system is carefully organized and harmonized to identify key trends, challenges, and needs within the communities. We analyze the data to understand prevalent health issues, demographic trends, and barriers to accessing healthcare services.

4. Targeted Interventions: Based on the insights gleaned from the data, we develop targeted interventions and innovative health solutions tailored to address the specific needs of women in the region. These interventions may include community health programs, awareness campaigns, capacity-building initiatives, and policy recommendations.

5. Continuous Feedback Loop: HERVoice establishes a continuous feedback loop by periodically engaging with women to provide updates on the progress of interventions and gather additional insights. This ensures that our solutions remain responsive to the evolving needs of the community.

HERVoice harnesses the power of technology to democratize data collection and amplify the voices of women in shaping their own healthcare experiences. By providing a platform for women to share their perspectives and contribute to evidence-based decision-making, we empower communities to drive positive change in women's health outcomes.

Through HERVoice, we aim to bridge the gap in healthcare data and catalyze meaningful improvements in women's health across Nigeria's South Western region.

Our solution, HERVoice, primarily serves women in Nigeria's South Western region, specifically in Ondo, Ekiti, and Osun States. These women represent a diverse demographic, including young girls, mothers, elderly women, and marginalized groups such as rural residents and low-income individuals.

Currently, this population is underserved in several ways:

1.     Limited Access to Healthcare: Many women in the South Western region face barriers to accessing quality healthcare services due to geographic remoteness, inadequate infrastructure, and transportation challenges. This lack of access prevents them from receiving timely medical care and exacerbates health issues.

2.     Cultural and Societal Constraints: Women in this region often encounter patriarchal norms and traditional beliefs that restrict their autonomy in healthcare decision-making. Additionally, stigma surrounding certain health topics, such as reproductive health and family planning, may prevent women from seeking necessary services.

3.     Data Deficiency: The absence of comprehensive and granular health data hampers the development of targeted interventions and policies that address the specific needs of women in the region. Without accurate information on prevalent health issues and barriers to healthcare access, existing programs may not effectively reach or serve the target population.

HERVoice seeks to address these challenges and directly impact the lives of women in the South Western region in the following ways:

1.     Empowering Women's Voices: By providing a platform for women to share their health experiences, concerns, and preferences anonymously and confidentially, HERVoice amplifies their voices in healthcare decision-making processes. Women become active participants in shaping the design and delivery of healthcare services that meet their unique needs.

2.     Tailored Interventions: The data collected through HERVoice enables us to develop targeted interventions and innovative health solutions that address the specific challenges faced by women in the region. These interventions may include community health programs, awareness campaigns, capacity building initiatives, and policy recommendations, all designed to improve health outcomes and access to care.

3.     Bridging Data Gaps: HERVoice fills critical gaps in healthcare data by collecting comprehensive and granular information on women's health issues. This data serves as a foundation for evidence-based decision-making, guiding policymakers, healthcare providers, and organizations in allocating resources and designing interventions that prioritize women's health.

Ultimately, HERVoice aims to empower women, improve healthcare access and quality, and catalyze positive changes in women's health outcomes in Nigeria's South Western region. By addressing the unique needs of this population and leveraging technology for data-driven solutions, we aspire to create a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system that serves all women, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Proximity and Representation: Our team comprises individuals deeply embedded within the communities we serve. The Team Lead and members reflect the diverse demographics and cultural nuances of Ondo, Ekiti, and Osun States, ensuring a deep understanding of the communities' needs and challenges. We prioritize inclusivity and representation, with team members hailing from various backgrounds, including healthcare, technology, and community development.

Community-Centric Approach: Our solution's design and implementation are meaningfully guided by community input, ideas, and agendas. We engage in extensive dialogue and collaboration with local stakeholders, including healthcare providers, community leaders, and women themselves. This participatory approach ensures that our solution aligns with the priorities and aspirations of the target population. We actively seek feedback and incorporate community insights into every stage of the project, from conceptualization to execution.

Tailored Interventions: By leveraging our deep connections within the communities, we develop tailored interventions that address the specific health challenges and cultural contexts of women in the region. Our team's proximity allows us to navigate complex social dynamics and cultural sensitivities effectively, fostering trust and engagement among community members. We recognize the importance of co-creation and co-design, ensuring that our solution reflects the realities and aspirations of the people it serves.

Empowerment and Sustainability: Through our community-centric approach, we empower local communities to take ownership of their healthcare. We facilitate capacity-building initiatives and knowledge-sharing platforms, enabling community members to become active participants in decision-making processes related to their health. By fostering sustainable partnerships and empowering local leaders, we ensure that our solution leaves a lasting impact on women's health outcomes in the region.

At the Concept stage, we have thoroughly researched and developed the idea of HERVoice, including the conceptualization of how Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology can be leveraged to collect comprehensive data on women's health in Nigeria's South Western region. We have conducted feasibility studies, explored technological requirements, and outlined the potential impact of the solution. However, we have not yet developed a functioning prototype or initiated pilot testing.

While we have not built and tested the solution yet, we have laid the groundwork for its development by:

1. Conducting Market Research: We have conducted extensive research to understand the healthcare landscape in Nigeria, particularly in the South Western region, and identified the gaps and challenges in women's health data collection and access to healthcare services.

2. Technology Exploration: We have explored the capabilities of IVR technology and its potential applications in collecting qualitative and quantitative data from women in remote and underserved areas. We have assessed the feasibility of implementing IVR systems to address the specific needs of our target population.

3. Stakeholder Engagement: We have engaged with local communities, healthcare providers, and relevant stakeholders to gather insights, assess needs, and garner support for the HERVoice initiative. These interactions have informed our understanding of the context and helped shape the design of the solution.

4. Planning and Strategy Development: We have developed a comprehensive plan and strategy for the implementation of HERVoice, outlining key milestones, timelines, and resource requirements. This includes outlining the data collection process, data analysis methods, and potential interventions based on insights gathered.

We are applying to Solve because we believe in the power of collaboration and collective action to address complex social challenges. By becoming a part of the Solve community, we hope to leverage the diverse expertise, resources, and networks available to accelerate the development and implementation of HERVoice.

Specifically, we face several barriers that we believe Solve can help us overcome:

1. Technical Expertise: Developing and implementing an IVR-based data collection system requires specialized technical knowledge in telecommunications, software development, and data management. We hope to connect with Solve's network of technical experts who can provide guidance, mentorship, and support in building and optimizing the technological infrastructure for HERVoice.

2. Access to Funding: While our primary goal is not solely to raise funds, financial support is crucial to realizing the full potential of HERVoice. Solve's network of partners and sponsors can provide both monetary and non-monetary support, including grants, investments, and in-kind resources, to help us scale our solution and reach more communities in need.

3. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Implementing HERVoice may require navigating legal and regulatory frameworks related to data privacy, telecommunications regulations, and healthcare policies. Solve can connect us with legal experts and advisors who can provide guidance on compliance issues and ensure that our solution adheres to relevant laws and regulations.

4. Cultural Sensitivity and Community Engagement: Building trust and rapport with local communities is essential for the success of HERVoice. Solve's global network and diverse community can offer valuable insights, cultural sensitivity training, and best practices for effective community engagement, helping us establish meaningful partnerships and ensure that our solution resonates with the target population.

5. Scaling and Sustainability: As we aim to expand HERVoice beyond the pilot phase and reach more women across Nigeria and potentially other regions, we need support in scaling our operations and ensuring long-term sustainability. Solve can facilitate partnerships with organizations, governments, and donors interested in supporting innovative solutions for women's health, thereby enabling us to scale our impact and create lasting change.