Meri Body - an app for Body Literacy
About the app
Despite increasing female education and a decreasing gender bias, certain topics remain taboo in India.
Periods, fertility, contraception, intercourse, pregnancy and more aren’t properly covered by structured education or parental guidance. This still leads to misunderstanding, misinformation and a reluctance to adopt healthy practices and attitudes. This negatively impacts the potential of young women in all aspects of their lives.
Meri Body (meaning “my body” in Hindi) uses mobile technology to enhance the knowledge. The app aims to empower and educate millions of (semi) illiterate young women (aged 15-25) on body literacy using simple videos, in a country where technology is increasingly becoming the most important way to access information.
Gently talking about sensitive subjects to encourage young women to break the taboos that still exist in India
Intuitive and simple design means even illiterate women in rural areas can learn about the sexual and reproductive aspects
Creating a community of educated girls and connecting to certified medical advice and help when required
App features
Daily status and education
Alongside the animated explanatory videos, Meri Body’s users can engage with the app on a daily basis through the menstrual cycle tracker and other tools that allow for a powerful personal experience.
Education within the app focuses on topics like body science, periods, contraception, fertility, family planning, sexuality and reproduction.
Learn and get help from local organisations all across India
Meri Body is partnering with India’s extensive network of social enterprises – especially involved with women's reproductive healthcare.
These trusted parties have become advocates for Meri Body. This feature will also be an essential part of the app’s offerings in easily connecting young women to the services of certified doctors and healthcare practitioners who can answer questions and give help when needed.
Join a community of empowered and educated women
Peer support is crucial to Meri Body’s success. Localised centers are spreading knowledge of the app and grow communities of empowered and educated women.
These communities provide a safe space to enhance understanding of the topics addressed by Meri Body, thereby lowering the threshold of ignorance and fear that remains pervasive in so many communities.
In this way, Meri Body plays an important role in the lives of the modern generation of young women who increasingly want to be in charge of their own lives and take their own decisions.
In media
of the population is younger than 35 years, more than 50% of citizens are younger than 25 years (48,5% are women)
of all Indian women own mobile phones
(NFHS, 2016)
of married women between the ages of 20-24 years got married before turning 18 years (NFHS, 2016)
Meri Body appeals - help eradicate period poverty organized by Namita Krul
Mother's Day Appeal: help eradicate Period Poverty!" Choosing to educate … Namita Krul needs your support for Meri Body appeals - help eradicate period poverty