Chatbot aimed at women and girls
JOHANNESBURG - NGO Shout It Now has launched an AI companion called AIMEE a WhatsApp chat bot service that offers a space for young women to discuss sexual health challenges.
READ: AI chatbot helps victims of digital sexual violence
Over 4,500 women and girls have engaged on the platform since its launch in March.
Topics vary between contraception, mental health support, sexually transmitted infection, HIV testing or treatment, gender-based violence, and more.
Doctor Alex Spyrelis, a Research Coordinator for Shout It Now, discussed this with eNCA.
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School Retention Failures: While policies existed to allow pregnant learners to remain in school, implementation was inconsistent. 'Only a few schools have formal or effective mechanisms in place to offer opportunities for girls to catch up on missed work,' the report noted, with 33% of pregnant girls not returning to school. The report outlined clear, actionable solutions that would more than pay for themselves through economic benefits: Integrated SRHR Services: Combining HIV prevention, contraception, and GBV services in youth-friendly spaces could dramatically reduce costs. The report highlighted successful models such as the O3 Programme that linked schools with health services. Combining HIV prevention, contraception, and GBV services in youth-friendly spaces could dramatically reduce costs. The report highlighted successful models such as the O3 Programme that linked schools with health services. Comprehensive Sexuality Education: 'School-based CSE, when delivered effectively using engaging and interactive game-based methods, empowers young people to make informed decisions about relationships,' the report stated. This required proper training for educators and collaboration with health providers. 'School-based CSE, when delivered effectively using engaging and interactive game-based methods, empowers young people to make informed decisions about relationships,' the report stated. This required proper training for educators and collaboration with health providers. Economic Support for Young Parents: Programmes that helped adolescent parents complete their education, including childcare support and flexible schooling, could recover millions in lost earnings potential. The report cites Nacosa's successful peer education and remedial teaching initiatives. Programmes that helped adolescent parents complete their education, including childcare support and flexible schooling, could recover millions in lost earnings potential. The report cites Nacosa's successful peer education and remedial teaching initiatives. GBV Prevention Investments: Community-based programmes such as Stepping Stones and Sonke Gender Justice's One Man Can campaign have proven effective at changing harmful gender norms. The report called for scaling these interventions alongside clinical services for survivors. The report's conclusion was unequivocal: 'Business as usual is not going to work. Different approaches are needed to generate change.' It challenged policymakers to view SRHR not as an expense, but as an investment with measurable economic returns. 'Understanding the cost of inaction helps to re-evaluate current approaches,' the report stated. 'Costing activities, including the cost of inaction in the cost-benefit analysis, will enable appropriate investment decisions for activities that provide real change, both now and also in the health and economic livelihoods of the next generations.' For South Africa, the choice is clear: continue paying the astronomical costs of inaction, or invest strategically in the health and rights of young people to unlock their full economic potential. The numbers show there's only one fiscally responsible option. Get the real story on the go: Follow the Sunday Independent on WhatsApp.
