How to build an app for transforming social norms

Advocates across the south east state of Nigeria faces heightened, widespread misinformation and misconceptions on core issues around FGM, child marriage and menstrual health as these are considered taboo. For example, FGM and child marriage are deeply rooted in tradition, making it difficult for advocates to shift mindsets and challenge long-held beliefs. The stigma attached to discussing menstrual health can also hinder open dialogue and prevent people from seeking the support they need. This leads to a significant gap in reliable, understandable information. Advocates often struggle to find ways to communicate these sensitive topics effectively without facing cultural resistance and stigmatisation.

Additionally, limited resources and funding for advocacy efforts often hamper the ability to scale or sustain projects. Advocates also face logistical challenges, especially when working in remote or undeserved areas, where access to technology, education, and health services is limited.

Despite these challenges, advocates continue to push for change, leveraging local partnerships and creative approaches—such as through our app—to overcome barriers and engage communities in meaningful conversations around SRHR.

To tackle these challenges, we focused on creating accessible, engaging, and culturally-sensitive educational content through our app. By integrating interactive elements like trivia, we make learning about SRHR topics like FGM, child marriage, and menstrual health more approachable and engaging, especially in communities where these issues are considered taboo. We also collaborated with local organisations to ensure our content resonates with diverse audiences and is aligned with their needs.

As a result, we’ve seen increased awareness and knowledge on these critical topics, with users actively engaging and sharing what they’ve learned. The app has provided a platform for open discussion and has helped break the silence around sensitive SRHR issues.

Advocates learned several valuable lessons through their involvement in the project. They discovered that digital platforms, such as mobile apps, are an effective way to engage diverse audiences on sensitive SRHR topics, breaking down barriers to discussions about taboo issues like FGM, child marriage, and menstrual health.

They also realised the importance of cultural sensitivity, as tailoring content to local values and practices was crucial for addressing deeply rooted traditions and overcoming resistance. Additionally, advocates learned that combating misinformation around SRHR issues requires continuous, long-term education to shift entrenched beliefs. Lastly, they recognized that while technology plays a key role in scaling education efforts, it must be complemented by other community-based interventions to foster lasting behavioural change.

For someone facing similar challenges, our advice would be to start by engaging closely with local communities and stakeholders to ensure your approach is culturally relevant and respectful. It’s crucial to create content that is culturally sensitive and aligns with local values and beliefs. Since our app works offline, it’s an effective solution for areas with limited internet access, and you should consider how your technology can be accessible to all, even in low-resource settings. Building trust within the community is key to overcoming logistical challenges. Changing attitudes takes time, so be patient and committed to long-term engagement. Finally, regularly measure your impact and adjust your approach based on feedback to continuously improve.

Staying adaptable is crucial when working on sensitive issues like SRHR. Each community has its own unique set of challenges and opportunities, so it’s important to remain open to adjusting your approach based on what you learn from your users. Additionally, while tech-based solutions like an offline app are powerful tools, real change often comes from a combination of education, community dialogue, and policy change. Being able to leverage multiple strategies in tandem will increase the long-term impact of your efforts.

In addition to the above, when building a mobile application, particularly for sensitive topics like SRHR, it’s important to follow a structured approach:

1. Research and Planning: Start by conducting thorough research into your target audience’s needs, challenges, and cultural contexts. Collaborate with local experts and community leaders to ensure your content resonates and is relevant. Define the app’s core objectives—what exactly do you want to achieve, such as raising awareness or changing behaviors around SRHR?
2. User-Centered Design: Design the app to be intuitive, easy to navigate, and accessible to all users, even those with limited technological experience. Focus on creating a user-friendly interface, and ensure that the content is visually appealing and engaging. For an offline app, consider file sizes, and offline access to resources, and ensure the app can function well without internet connectivity.
3. Culturally Sensitive Content: The educational material must be culturally appropriate and accurate. Tailor the content to your audience’s specific context, and ensure that it aligns with local beliefs and values while also challenging harmful practices. Use clear, simple language and visuals that resonate with users.
4. Testing and Feedback: Before launching the app, conduct usability testing with your target audience. Gather feedback on content, design, and user experience, and make adjustments based on what works and what doesn’t. This ensures the app will be as effective as possible when it’s fully launched.
5. Launching and Scaling: Once the app is ready, launch it strategically. Consider how to reach your audience through local networks, partnerships, and community events. Make sure there are ways to provide ongoing support and updates to the app, including incorporating new data or content as necessary.
6. Impact Assessment and Adaptation: After launch, regularly assess the app’s impact through user feedback, engagement metrics, and surveys. Use this information to continuously improve and update the app to address any gaps or emerging challenges.

The app uses engaging imagery to drive user engagement.

The app integrates interactive elements like quizzes to keep the users engaged.