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Phase: Review

AnonymousYou

Adolescents can anonymously use an online platform which provides info about what they're going through and sexual reproduction in general.

Photo of Rahul Sundararaman
8 6

Written by

What specific problem(s) are you trying to address?

That adolescent girls face stigma when they try to access information they have a right to.

What are some of your unanswered questions about the problem(s) you are working to address?

They have no idea what's happening to them, and they are very confused

Explain Your Idea

It would be a website that would provide them information based on their age/what is happening to them. It takes them through, with helpful graphic and videos, what exactly is happening to them. As an alternative to a website, since a lot of these countries don't have access to computers, we will also have an option to text a hotline number to ask any question a girl may have in mind.

Name the three most important ways that your idea will address your identified problem(s).

1. It's anonymous. The girls will not face any stigma 2. They have a start to end information about what is happening to them through each stage of puberty 3. Sexual reproduction and physiology is clearly explained with labeled images

How is your idea unique?

No one currently does this with a target to these locations. It will use a much smaller bandwidth, completely powered by text messages using the Twilio API which will give access to locations where internet isn't as accessible.

What are some outstanding concerns or questions that you have regarding your idea?

It requires a smartphone/computer and some access to cellular data. This may not be feasible in poorer countries.

Who are your end users?

Adolescent teen girls who are confused.

Where will your idea be implemented?

  • Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Ethiopia
  • Ghana
  • Malawi

What is the primary type of emergency setting where your innovation would operate?

  • Prolonged displacement

Tell us more about the emergency setting that you intend to implement in

If someone can't get to these people for a long time, this website can give adolescent teens the information they need.

What is your organization's name?

SigmaCV

Tell us more about you.

I'm a computer science sophomore at VCU, and I've been creating mobile and websites for 5 years.

Organizational Characteristics

  • Youth-led organization

What is the current scale of your proposed innovation?

  • Still in planning phase and does not exist yet

Experience in Implementation Country(ies)

  • No, not yet.

Expertise in Sector

  • Yes, for more than a year.

Organization Location

Richmond, VA

What is your organizational status?

  • Not registered but plan to in the future.

What is the maturity of your innovation?

  • Early Stage Innovation: exploring my innovation, refining, researching, and gathering inspiration.

8 comments

Join the conversation:

Comment
Spam
Photo of DeletedUser
Team

DeletedUser

Goodwork Rahul

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Spam
Photo of Emiley Jacklene Trowbridge
Team

Hey Rahul! I feel as though this idea is very forward thinking. I really like the idea that it is anonymous and women do not need to feel judged or treated differently because they are reaching out to learn more about themselves and their own bodies. I think this could significantly help the women of today and tomorrow because they need to understand what is happening to them. They need to understand that it is normal and natural. My only concern is how they can receive that internet access and be informed of this site? Other than that really great idea!

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Spam
Photo of Sarah
Team

Hi Rahul,

This is a good idea! Besides just the website being able to share what is going on with their bodies and their stage of development at the moment maybe it could also include a chat feature so they can ask specific questions anonymously and where they can find products they may need near them? Is there another way besides a website you would distribute information for areas that don't have a lot of computer access available?

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Spam
Photo of Rahul Sundararaman
Team

Yeah I agree a website is not ideal, but it is the most scalable solution. Distributing flyers and such would lead to even more issues if discovered, especially since we want to keep the knowledge anonymous (hence called AnonymousYou). That's why I included the idea for using the Twilio API to access the internet as it significantly reduces the bandwidth needed to use the internet.

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Spam
Photo of Cal Costic
Team

Rahul, great idea! Have you thought about offering information on where girls can find products/services near them to supplement what they're learning?

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Spam
Photo of Rahul Sundararaman
Team

Yeah that sounds great! We could probably partner with local companies that offer those product/services and advertise them on our website. That would be a great revenue generator too!

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Spam
Photo of Stephen Holtz
Team

Hey Rahul! Sounds like you have a really great foundation for this idea.

Looking over everything, I was wondering if you had considered any added functionality so users can ask questions if there is something that the information section doesn't cover (perhaps this could be accomplished in an anonymous forum). This way, the user could stay anonymous while getting the information they need.

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Spam
Photo of Rahul Sundararaman
Team

Yeah, that's a neat idea! I would probably add an FAQ section, along with custom questions to be submitted as well.

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