SMS service to empower Tanzanian girls with reproductive health education

Dar es Salaam. Young girls across the country are set to gain a better understanding of their sexual and reproductive health through SMS-based messaging.

This initiative stems from the Oky application, which simplifies access to menstrual health information in a user-friendly language.

Developed through a partnership between Tai Tanzania, Unicef, and the ministry of Health, this system is designed for girls who lack smartphones but wish to learn about safe menstrual practices.

The platform has been tailored in Kiswahili to eliminate misinformation and break down taboos surrounding menstrual health and hygiene that young girls often face in their communities.

Speaking at the launch event, Tai Tanzania’s Project and Communications Manager, Emmyrose Rugumamu, emphasised the system’s benefits in educating girls on managing their first periods and addressing related challenges.

“Due to the many questions from girls without smartphones, we developed the Oky SMS system, enabling young girls to receive information about menstruation, such as what to eat, which exercises to perform during their periods, how to recognize their rights, and how to advocate for themselves," said Ms Rugumamu.

Ms Rugumamu further added that, beyond menstrual education, the SMS service also provides digital literacy lessons.

“Through this system, girls can learn about online safety and receive information to help them achieve their goals,” Ms Rugumamu added. According to Prince Herman, the Technical Lead at Tai Tanzania, the system is simple as it works like a regular SMS service.

“We have prepared a library containing all the content available in the application. It is made accessible via SMS. A user simply sends a message, and we respond with the relevant information,” said Mr Herman.

Once a girl sends an SMS, she receives detailed information, including content from the library, a list of support centres for assistance, and a privacy policy outlining how Oky operates to ensure user data safety.

A graduate from Mikocheni Secondary School, Charlotte Frednand, expressed her relief at the convenience of the Oky SMS service.

“With a basic phone, it’s now so much easier for us. I can send an SMS and get the information I need instead of waiting to borrow my mother’s smartphone,” Charlotte shared.

For schools that do not permit mobile phone use by students, Oky also offers a desktop version.

Students can use school computers to input and access menstrual health information.

This innovative solution is expected to bridge the gap in menstrual health education, empowering girls with essential knowledge and supporting them to thrive in a digital era.