Girl Effect’s Springster team has showcased a pioneering chatbot that answers girls’ questions about sexual health, to experts at the Global Digital Health Forum in Washington DC. The forum is the leading networking event for global public and digital health experts from more than 100 countries.
Here Lorya Roblin, Acting Director of Springster, explains the thinking behind the development of the chatbot and what the team has learnt so far.
In many countries in which Girl Effect works, girls aren’t allowed to discuss sexual health and contraception, are shamed for their curiosity, or given answers that are unhelpful and incorrect.
While moderating Springster, Girl Effect’s global mobile platform, we noticed girls wanted specific advice on taboo topics around sexual health content, and a private and non-judgemental space in which they could safely get information.