Given the heavy discussion on Female Genital Mutilation held during the February Hackathon for the Africa’s Talking Women in Technology community (as discussed in this article here) it was only fitting to crown this off with building solutions to help eradicate the criminal act.Having the context of FGM in mind, and the urgency to eradicate the practice, participants streamed in bright and early — ready to delve into solution-building. The participants were settled and ready to dive right into it by 10 am, on that rather chilly Wednesday morning. After a brief introduction of Africa’s Talking APIs, just to enable those who were new to get on the same page as well, the attendees got into teams to begin the process. With teams of a maximum of 5 members each, the participants were able to display great levels of teamwork and share their skills in brainstorming and building solutions in various programming languages and using different angles to present the final 5 solutions of the hackathon:The Solutions1. ShawishiAPIs used: USSDThe solution was broken into three parts with the slogan: Rescue, Create, Involve.Rescue: Users could dial the USSD code and select the first option to report an FGM case. Thereafter, the relevant authorities would be able to receive the complaints and respond accordingly.Create: By enabling users to land on a page that provides more information on FGM, it creates awareness on how we can combat the act.Involve: The final option enables users to volunteer their help to those affected by FGM. In this way, the community as well as the relevant authorities are involved in combating FGM.2. Rafiki FGM 101APIs used: USSDThis solution involved the use of a USSD service code to provide information on FGM, and on the final window, the user is able to either report or volunteer to help support those affected.This solution ensured information on FGM is passed on to the user first, that being the primary goal. This was well illustrated by the fact that the information was relayed in different languages, and the user selects a language to proceed with in order to reach users even in remote locations.3. Save a GirlAPIs used: Bulk SMSThis solution entailed the sending of bulk SMSs to a number of users in a given area with information on FGM such as what the act entails and its effects.The message also entailed a number to contact in order to get any assistance required, as well as a link to report on FGM cases and get assistance from an emergency unit.4. RedhatAPIs used: USSD, SMS, AirtimeThis solution was focused on creating awareness on FGM and ensuring the public is educated.To achieve this goal, the solution involved the use of a USSD service code to provide a quiz on FGM content with the user selecting answers in order to move to the next window. On completion, they receive a message to thank them for taking part.Additionally, the users receive an airtime incentive based on their scores in the quiz. If they did not do very well, they can retake the quiz in a couple of weeks.5. FemsafeAPIs used: USSDThis solution used a USSD service code to sensitize and report FGM cases.The USSD would provide an option to report FGM cases to the authorities, another option to seek medical help if need be, and another option for users to subscribe to a Skiza tune conveying FGM information.The Skiza Tune option would enable sharing the information to a number of users as it involves having an FGM information tune that is played back to every person who calls you as they wait for you to pick up the call.The 5 solutions utilized Africa’s Talking APIs to build scalable solutions that can be plugged into the market to help counter the FGM practice on the ground. The solutions also cut across a variety of users such as the victims, those willing to help, those willing to learn and share the information, as well as the authorities or emergency bodies.After a successful hackathon, the Africa’s Talking Women in Technology community is ready to move on to the next hackathon to build solutions that are meaningful, scalable and easily applicable in the real world. Looking forward to the next hackathon — and all the others to come every last Wednesday of the month!

Africa’s Talking is a Pan-African tech company that works on helping developers in Africa make their ideas come to life with ease. We do this by giving them access to communication infrastructure through easy-to-use APIs.Want to explore our APIs? Learn more about us, reach us at info@africastalking.com and join the conversation on Slack!