‘WeAskLucyBot’

The Paradigm Youth Network Organization is tapping into their strong community connections and technological expertise to develop ‘WeAskLucyBot,’ an artificial intelligence-powered bot that uses Facebook Messenger to discreetly provide young people with evidence-based, quality sexual and reproductive health information. ‘WeAskLucyBot’ is populated with information from trusted sources, including the United Nations and the International Planned Parenthood Federation, and will respond to questions posed by young people through real-time instant messaging 24-hours a day. The name ‘WeAskLucyBot’ was chosen to align with existing community norms of going to a non-judgmental aunt when seeking sexual and reproductive health information. The bot will be supplemented with in-person trainings and workshops with teen connectors and other community members. PYHNO will collaborate with Y-Act, an initiative led by Amref Health Africa, the Advocacy Accelerator, and LakeHub. Through this project, PYHNO seeks to increase access to sexual and reproductive health information and services among rural girls in Siaya, Homa Bay, and Kisumu counties in Kenya. This one-year project will launch in 2019.

Talking about sex and sexuality topic in Kenya is not only awkward but also considered a taboo. This has resulted into lack of correct information sharing leading to information gap which has resulted into generations without right information on sex and sexual health.