Empowering Women through Technology: The MOYO Campaign in Tanzania, Lesotho, and South Africa
In Tanzania, up to 3,000 Tanzanian women develop obstetric fistula each year, with 24,000 left untreated due to a lack of awareness and financial resources. Many afflicted by this condition face not only physical challenges but also social stigma. Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CCBRT), a local NGO, teamed up with Vodacom and the Tanzanian government to launch the MOYO campaign, a groundbreaking initiative that utilizes mobile money transfer technology and a text-to-treatment model to treat obstetric fistula and drive positive social change.
© Sunge experienced complications during childbirth. She was able to access high-quality life-saving care at one of the newly renovated and equipped health facilities in Simiyu Region.
The MOYO campaign program utilizes trained community ambassadors, including health workers and volunteers, to identify women with obstetric fistula. These ambassadors, mentored and trained by CCBRT, conduct outreach, education, screening, and referrals. The program also uses the M-Pesa mobile money transfer system to collect funds, even from the public, to allow even those with limited financial resources to contribute to addressing obstetric fistula in their community. These contributions are utilized to purchase bus tickets for the woman’s transportation to the hospital and cover the cost of free treatment provided by CCBRT’s Disability Hospital in Dar es Salaam and its partner, Selian Lutheran Medical Centre in Arusha.
IMPACT
Awareness and Education
The campaign raises awareness about obstetric fistula through extensive education programs, leveraging mobile technology for outreach.
Medical Treatment
The funds raised enable CCBRT to treat thousands of women, providing them with life-changing surgeries and restoring their dignity and confidence. The initiative facilitated access to medical treatment for thousands of women, mitigating the physical and psychological consequences of obstetric fistula.
Social Transformation
By addressing obstetric fistula, the campaign contributes to the societal reintegration of affected women, fostering inclusion, and reducing stigma. By addressing the condition and providing support, the campaign plays a pivotal role in reintegrating affected women into their communities.
The MOYO campaign was also adopted in Lesotho using a text-to-treatment model to get more HIV-positive pregnant women and children into effective care, and in South Africa to manage the availability of chronic disease medication.
The MOYO campaign exemplifies how technology, in collaboration with dedicated NGOs and the government, can drive positive change. By leveraging mobile money transfer systems, the initiative not only raises funds but also enhances awareness and facilitates the treatment of disease. This campaign underscores the transformative potential of technology in addressing pressing social challenges to make a significant difference in the lives of women affected by obstetric fistula in Tanzania.