Sakhi

pROJECT BRIEF

In a market saturated with menstruation-tracking applications, addressing the subject of periods or menstrual cycles remains taboo in India. Despite the great possibility of outreach with the widespread availability of smartphones and affordable 5G networks, a critical question arises:
WHERE ARE WE FALLING SHORT?

Drawing insights from extensive research, user interviews and a thorough analysis of competing products and services, this project endeavors to take the inaugural step in generating awareness among women. It utilizes an AI Chatbot-integrated application and a menstruation tracking device inspired by the Indian Bangle to inform users, address their queries, minimize the burden of constant input and alleviate the challenges faced by uneducated, rural, and digitally inexperienced populations. Its ultimate goal is to empower women to embrace and take pride in their bodies.

TIMELINE

Dec 2023 - Jan 2024

tools

Figma, Rhinoceros, Illustrator, Photoshop, Blender

My Contribution

Empathy Building, Ideation, Research, Storyboarding, UX, Wireframing, UI Design, Prototyping, Usability Testing, Heuristic Evaluation

collaborators

Ishita Kohli , Utkarsh Verma

pROBLEM STATEMENT

Despite advancements in technology, many women in uneducated, rural, and digitally inexperienced populations face significant challenges in accessing comprehensive menstrual health information and effectively tracking their cycles, highlighting a critical gap in menstrual health management.

Lack of education and awareness

Existing myths and taboos surrounding menstruation

Ostracization, misunderstandings, social isolation, and discrimination of women leading to limited access to crucial medical information

Existing solutions in the market overlook the cultural and rural intricacies

CURRENT SITUTATION

PERIODS OF HELL IN BHAMRAGAD

The Madia, an Adivasi tribe, segregates menstruating women, forcing them into "Kurma Ghars" or period houses based on outdated beliefs about menstrual impurity. These huts lack basic amenities such as beds, bathrooms, or electricity, causing significant discomfort and health concerns. The dim, poorly ventilated environment, along with the presence of rodents, exacerbates the challenges faced by these women. Additionally, they are restricted from storing their sanitary products, primarily old cloth, anywhere else. Superstitions dictate that any interaction during this time could provoke the wrath of the village deity, further isolating these women.

THE final Solution

The final solution comprises the Sakhi Bangle (bracelet) and the Sakhi Application, designed to raise awareness about menstruation and the importance of tracking cycles among the targeted users, Indian rural women. The wearable, inspired by the Indian Bangle, is a screenless device intended to track the menstrual cycle using multiple sensors and ensuring minimal manual input on the application. The application is designed to observe the data tracked by the bangle, add to, or override this data if incorrect (thus improving predictions over time through machine learning), analyze user cycles and symptoms, and can be used to share this data with a healthcare professional. Additionally, the application is equipped with an AI chatbot named Sakhi, which aims to answer any user queries and provide guidance for a seamless experience.

THE SAKHI BANGLE

THE SAKHI APPLICATION

MORE ON THIS PAGE :

Empathize

User personas

Existing solutions to the problem

Competitive Analysis

Project Goals

Ideation

Implementation

Render and High Fidelity Prototype

EMPATHIZE

The project came into being as we observed a trend of social norms and practices in India around the realm of menstruation and women health. These include but not are not limited to the following absurd practices during menstruation :

Menstruating women not allowed to take a bath especially for first few days of their period.

Menstruating women must avoid exercise/physical activity.

Certain foods like sour food like curd, tamarind, and pickles are usually will disturb or stop the menstrual flow.

Menstruating women are prohibited from participating in normal life activities such as entering the kitchen/temple.

Menstruating women are dirty and impure and the food they prepare or handle can get contaminated

The body of a menstruating woman emits some specific smell or ray, which turns preserved food bad.

Women must bury their cloths used during menstruation to prevent them being used by evil spirits.

Menstrual blood is dangerous and a woman can use her menstrual blood to impose her will on a man.

Menstruating women are prohibited from touching a cow lest it becomes infertile

A women may never reveal that she is menstruating and must always conceal her sanitary products because periods are a shameful experience.

All Indian women whether living in the urban or rural sector has been subjected to at least one of these practices.

For more information on the religious and cultural norms and practices surrounding menstruation and women health, please click on the link to ourFigJam file.

CONTEXTUAL ENQUIRY

Interviews

We tried engaging in conversations with women coming from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, it was realized that there is very little awareness and a lot of skepticism to discuss this topic freely.

Articles and Research Papers

Several articles and research papers revealed the reasons for the existence of such practices and the effects it has on the lives of the women.

Takeaways :

Girls drop out of school when they begin menstruating and are often married off at a young age

Improper Sanitary Products Used because taboo to discuss the right way.

Poor protection and inadequate washing facilities and infrastructure

Fear of staining - made to feel embarrassed by family members and peers

Fewer job opportunities as employers think they don't work or work inefficiently during periods

#FACT : Did you know that only 36% of India's 355 million menstruating females use sanitary napkins?

These factors often tend to disrupt a woman's life especially their emotional state, mentality, lifestyle and physical health.

Sources :

1. Menstruation related myths in India: strategies for combating it

2. Why India must battle the shame of period stain

3. Menstrual Hygiene Day Facts

4. World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2023: What are India’s challenges?

AFFINITY MAPPING

Affinity Mapping was employed to discern recurring themes across various sources, including conversations, research papers, and articles. These insights were instrumental in understanding the underlying factors contributing to prevailing social norms and practices regarding menstruation in India. Furthermore, the process shed light on the barriers preventing women from adequately addressing menstrual health concerns.

insights

Indian menstruating women encounter ostracization and struggle to address their menstrual health due to a multitude of reasons. These issues encompass the following :

Cultural barriers - myths and taboos associated with menstruation

Economic constraints

Low tech-savviness and complicated existing applications

Little health consciousness

Lack of education

Gender inequality

Inefficient government policies to address issues of the rural woman

However, the underlying issue amongst all of these is the lack awareness, not tracking their health at all and not being able to discuss the topic freely.

Given the lack of conversation about periods, according to a study by UNICEF, 71% of adolescent girls in India are unaware of menstruation until they get it themselves.
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what is being done to address this issue?

Several Government Initiatives, Non-Governmental Organizations, International Organizations, Academic Institutions and Activist Groups have employed several strategies to address menstrual health awareness in rural India:

Community Workshops and Training

Distribution of Educational Materials

School-Based Programs

Digital Initiatives

Engagement with Community Leaders:

Improving Access to Menstrual Products

Women's Health Camps

why address the issue digitally?

We chose to address the issue digitally as it offers the following benefits :

Accessibility

Better accessibility to a wide audience as everyone has access to a smart phone and good network coverage

Anonymity

Individuals feel comfortable seeking such information anonymously, especially in cultures where menstruation is considered taboo

Cost-Effectiveness

Information and resources can be shared at a relatively low cost compared to traditional methods such as in-person workshops

Scalability

Solutions can be easily scaled up to reach larger populations as needed

Customization

Customization of content and resources to suit the specific needs and preferences of different demographics,

Interactivity

Features such as quizzes, videos, and forums can engage users and facilitate a more dynamic learning experience

Data Analysis

Data collection and analysis inform ongoing improvements of menstrual health awareness initiatives by gathering insights on user engagement.

what are existing ways addressing this issue digitally?

MOBILE APPLICATIONS AND WERABLE DEVICES

There is a plethora of applications and wearable devices that exists in the market targeted to track menstrual cycles and reproductive health.

COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS

A competitive analysis was conducted to understand the functions targeted, user groups, and to learn from the strengths and weaknesses of existing menstrual health tracking applications and wearables.

Mobile Applications : Competitive Analysis

Wearable Devices : Competitive Analysis

insights

A wide array of applications and wearable devices are available in the market, targeting the tracking of menstrual cycles and reproductive health. However, they overlook several intricacies that must be considered to effectively promote awareness in a rural setting :

Cultural Nuances are not considered

Not Affordable as these applications and wearables are usually highly priced

Complicated interaction and interfaces for population that is not tech savvy.

Overload of information for a population that is unaware of basics of menstruation

Lack discreetness. This includes effeminate logos and interfaces in applications and large non discreet wearables.

Lack focus to create basic awareness in a society where menstruation remains a taboo topic

Existing apps may not offer content in local languages which is especially an important feature to consider in a country with over 22 languages.

what is the purpose of the new application and device?

OUR PROJECT GOALS

Increase awareness regarding menstrual health in rural India

Debunk existing myths and taboos associated with menstruation

Ensuring accessibility and affordability

Simple and clean interfaces and interaction for better usability

Start by empowering women

#NOTE: It is important to note that are targeted user group is women. While there are applications catering to male partners and family members alongside women, we believe that in rural India, it's crucial to prioritize empowering women first. Our aim is to create awareness among women so they can overcome myths and taboos surrounding menstruation, embrace it as a natural process, and take pride in their bodies and bodily functions.

MOSCOW ANALYSIS

Taking insights from existing devices and applications, we conducted a MOSCOW Analysis to understand what features must be incorporated in the application and wearable to address the issue.

HOW WILL WE DO THINGS DIFFERENTLy?

IDEATion : THE WEARABLE DEVICE

For the wearable we decided to design something much for relatable for the Indian audiences. Rather than a bulky, non- discreet watch, we were inspired by the traditional Indian bracelet, THE BANGLE.

WHY THE BANGLE ?

A bangle in the Indian context holds very important significance both in terms of the Culture and Vedic Science :

Cultural Significance

The cultural significance of the bangle changes with region and the color of the bangle. However, across the country it is believed to have various benefits, being the symbol for :

Fertility & Life

Relationship Strength and durability

Independence

Luck and prosperity

Auspicious beginnings

Positive Energy

Protective barrier to ward off evil spirits

Creativity

Scientific Significance

According to the Vedic Science texts the way in which the bangle interacts with our body, has numerous health benefits:

Purity of Human Body

Sound energy and pressure points - Purifies the human body by detoxifying the negative vibrations from the body and recharges depleted energy levels

Keeps Away Negative thoughts

Static force on skin trigger unwanted responses in minds, Wearing bangles prevents them and establishes the body’s energy channel balance.

Improves Blood Circulation

The constant friction between Bangles and wrists improves blood circulation and normalizes the pulse of the body

Improves Passion and Fertility

They are also believed to trigger action and passion in the body, thereby, improving fertility

For more information on the religious and cultural significance of bangles please click on the link to ourFigJam file

DESIGNING THE BANGLE

Initial design sketches exploring the mechanisms

IDEATion : THE application

Features that the application must include:

Simple and intuitive interface

Integration with wearables that tracks most data - Limiting the manual inputs in the application

Override feature to input correct menstrual information to improve tracking accuracy

Quick overview and analysis of menstrual cycle patterns and ability to share this data

Local language preferences

Application Integrated AI Chatbot that provides guidance and necessary information to the user

Initial sketches exploring the application features and interface :

IMPLEMENTATION

THE WEARABLE : BANGLE

Device Onboarding

BANGLE KEY FEATURES

THE APPLICATION

Information Architecture

THE APPLICATION KEY FEATURES

Local Language Preference

The application provides content in local languages to enhance outreach to users across India. It offers support for all 22 official languages of India, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for diverse linguistic communities.

Easy Set Up with Bangle

The application provides a step-by-step onboarding to first time users so they can pair their bangles with their applications and start tracking.

Introduction to Chatbot right in the beginning

The application introduces the chatbot named Sakhi right at the beginning of the onboarding stage. This approach aims to streamline the onboarding process and ensure users have a clear understanding of how to use the application, making the experience as seamless and user-friendly as possible.

Easy Step by Step Onboarding

The app offers a step-by-step onboarding process for first-time users, enabling them to input essential menstrual cycle-related information seamlessly. This facilitates the initiation of cycle tracking and symptom monitoring with ease and efficiency.

Chatbot Sakhi and Information Pop Ups

The application prominently features the Sakhi Icon and the Information Icon on nearly every page. This design allows users to access additional information on specific topics, receive answers to their questions from the chatbot, or seek guidance whenever needed.

Simple and Intuitive Interface for Tracking and Override Input

The application offers a clean, simple, and intuitive interface for viewing tracked data from the bangle and for manually inputting or overriding this data as needed.

Analysis with Easy Sharing

The application offers an analysis of past menstrual cycles, including both cycle data and symptoms. It provides alerts to users for any concerning patterns or changes. Additionally, users can share this analysis directly with their healthcare professionals for further evaluation directly from the application.

Customization and Personalization

Given the diverse user base with varying reasons for tracking, age groups, requirements, and schedules, the application provides a range of features to customize the user experience according to individual preferences.