AI & SRHR in Uganda: SafeHands and Say It Now working in partnership for youth

SafeHands is delighted to welcome a new strategic partnership with software development and award-winning voice and chat bot agency Say It Now to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Uganda.

During this (initially) one year project, beginning in September 2019, SafeHands and Say It Now will work in partnership with Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) to pilot an AI text messaging ‘chatbot’ to answer young people’s questions on safe sex and contraception in Uganda. Users can expect an instant answer that is accurate, judgement-free and confidential. When more than just a text is needed, users are referred to a trusted youth-friendly clinic in their area. Our work will provide important insights into how to leverage digital technology to improve vital SRHR information.

SafeHands Assistant Director Erica Belanger welcomed this cross-sector partnership. She said:

“We are delighted to be working on this innovative initiative in partnership with Say It Now and RHU. Technology has huge potential to change the SRHR sector. This partnership enables us to achieve more together.”

Say It Now CEO and Founder Charlie Cadbury said:

“The applications for Natural Language Understanding are far reaching and we are thrilled to be partnering with SafeHands and RHU to deploy our experience in this way. This is new territory for Say It Now but we believe this can have a positive impact. We’re excited to go on this journey with them. This is just the first step.”