Menstrual Health Application launched in Kenya
Adolescent girls and young women in Kenya can now track their menstrual periods using their mobile phones following the launch of “Oky Kenya”,- a menstrual health and period tracker app through a partnership between UNICEF, LVCT Health and the Government of Kenya.
The first-of-its-kind period tracker app in Kenya puts girls at the heart of digital solutions for menstrual health and hygiene. It empowers them to take charge of their menstrual periods and be peer supporters in managing their health.
The launch of the “Oky Kenya” app provided a perfect opportunity for participants to learn more about the innovative digital solution that adolescent girls can use to manage their menstruation effectively in a safe, healthy and dignified way and without shame.
LVCT Health, a partner of the broader initiative in Kenya, seeks to restore adolescent girls and young women’s dignity by providing information and understanding about menstruation matters in fun, creative, and positive ways through mobile phones.
LVCT Health’s Executive Director, Dr Lilian Otiso, was proud of the organization for being on the frontline of developing an app for young girls and women. She congratulated everyone for achieving this milestone and thanked UNICEF Kenya, for supporting LVCT Health through the numerous recommendations to develop and improve the app.
The Oky app has been localized using girl-led characters and language that adolescent girls in Kenya can relate to, take control of menstruation, and learn more about their sexual reproduction health.
Speaking at the launch, Charles Mwita, Director of Education Policy and Partnerships at the Ministry of Education, emphasized the need for more awareness of menstrual health and hygiene and policy formulation to promote menstrual equity, research and innovation to address the ever-growing sexual reproductive health needs among the adolescent girls and young women in Kenya.
“Oky Kenya is about taking charge of your life. It’s about knowledge, information and making decisions that help you advance in life. I am proud to be part of the innovation as the app is about breaking and dispelling myths and stigma associated with menstrual periods,” said UNICEF Kenya Country Director Shaheen Snilofer.
According to Mercy Nzuki, Youth Program Officer, LVCT Health, through the app, it is now possible for girls to tell when to expect their menstrual periods and predictions that are tailored to their sexual reproductive health needs.
“I am excited today that we have an app that responds to our menstrual health needs. This is our app, designed by us to serve adolescent girls and young women in Kenya. I am proud for taking part in the development of this exciting app from the very beginning leading up to this day,” Marie Merci, an adolescent girl.
Marie says that the “Oky Kenya” app has not only helped her track her menstrual cycles but also offered her a wealth of information on menstrual health and hygiene, including tips on how to stay healthy, what to expect during different phases of the menstrual cycle, and how to manage menstrual-related issues such as cramps, headaches, and mood swings.
Representing the Ministry of Health, Susan Koki Mutua, noted that girl in Kenya has the right to be happy and healthy. I hope the new app will be the friend you can go to for any question or support you may need on your journey to womanhood.
The mobile application can be downloaded from Google Play Store using the Internet and accessed with or without the Internet once downloaded.
LVCT Health, through its one2one digital platform, caters for the needs of adolescent girls and young people aged between 10 and 24. It provides them with reliable, credible, and high-quality information, as well as access to services on Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH), Mental Health, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and HIV in a nonjudgmental manner.
With the launch of the “Oky Kenya” app, millions of adolescent girls and young women like Marie can now receive information on menstrual health and hygiene matters in a fun, creative, and positive way.