Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Mostly, when a lady needs a selfcare product e.g pads or wipes, she is in unconventional place she can't access or buy it instantly. Having vending machines in places like office buildings, clubs, eateries, stations, schools e.t.c seeks to bridge this gap

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Riding on proof of concepts for vending machines for various products such as milk and refreshments, we intend to leverage local manufacturing to assemble various sizes of computerized AI-enabled vending machines for assorted range of essential female self care products including complimentary male products at strategic areas of highest need. We will rely on the existing distribution networks to stock and replenish the machines, and with advanced data analytics involving AI and ML algorithms we will enhance data collection and processing capabilities to optimize product selection and placement. We will integrate various payment methods from cash to cashless models and develop a user companion that can be used at checkout. If proof of concept is successful, we intent to pull in funders like USAID, CIFF, FCDO, BMGF who are interested in selfcare projects around the world for subsidy grants, demand generation and scale.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

This project addresses inadequate access to essential self-care products for women and girls in Kenya, particularly in unconventional settings where need is the high. This is due to: 1. Limited retail services due to adequate retail stores, making it difficult for women to purchase self-care products (MoH Kenya, 2019). 2. Affordability: A 2016 study found that 65% of women and girls in Kenya could not afford sanitary pads (The Standard, 2016). 3. Cultural barriers and stigma due lack of privacy, agency and control of their selfcare needs (MoH Kenya, 2019). This lack of access has significant consequences for women's health especially hygiene, education, and overall well-being. It often leads to stigma and missed school days, workdays, and social activities, perpetuating inequalities and hindering progress towards gender equality and sustainable development. The project responds to the growing demand for feminine selfcare products, a USD 40.4 billion global market (Statista, 2021).

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

Increased Accessibility: The vending machines provide 24/7 access to essential self-care products in unconventional locations, overcoming locational and time constraints faced by women in rural and urban areas. This accessibility is crucial for menstrual hygiene management for example, safe sex, rejuvenation, and other reproductive needs including family planning. Affordability and Convenience: These machines offer products at competitive prices, making them more affordable for a wider range of consumers. The convenience of cashless payments through mobile money platforms like M-Pesa further enhances accessibility, especially in areas with limited banking infrastructure. Privacy and Discretion: Vending machines provide a discreet way to purchase self-care products, addressing cultural sensitivities and stigma surrounding menstruation. This empowers women and girls to manage their hygiene needs with confidence and dignity.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

The solar-powered self-care vending machine project primarily targets Kenyan women and girls facing barriers to essential hygiene products, including: Schoolgirls: Providing easy access to products within school premises can reduce absenteeism due to menstruation, aligning with SDG 4: Quality Education. Working Women: Vending machines in workplaces ensure convenient access during work hours, contributing to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Women in Rural Areas: Placing vending machines in rural areas improves access for women in remote locations, aligning with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. Marginalized Communities: Affordable and discreet access benefits women facing financial constraints or cultural stigma, contributing to SDG 5: Gender Equality. Male complementary products like shaving creams, condoms, leading deodorant brands e.t.c can be sold together with women products as part of this agenda. The machine will contain almost 90% female products though.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-05-28

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

1

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Soudie Okwaro (Lead Innovator)- is a Data Science professional with over a decade of experience implementing donor projects targeting girls, adolescents and women across the world. With experience from over 25 countries spread across different continents, Soudie brings a practical "innovation-for-use-case" approach to solving several challenges faced by girls, adolescents and women globally. He led the development of a health solution (MPDSR Tracker) adopted by WHO, now distributed globally. He runs other 3 business, also startups. Susan Sindani (Co-innovator)- is an award winning youth trailblazer (ICFP 2022), enthusiastic about gender equality, climate change and health advocacy. She currently leads a coalition in East Africa campaigning for Population Health environment and Education (PHED BUILD). She's a 4-star communication and journalism professional with a bias in gender and development work.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/soudie-okwaro/

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

d) Primary commodities (food, drink, household and personal products)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

2

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

-

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

2

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

-

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

By providing accessible and affordable self-care products for both women and men in underserved areas of Kenya. The vending machines will offer a wide range of products, including menstrual hygiene items, contraceptives, basic first-aid supplies, personal hygiene products, and healthy snacks. For women, this means consistent access to menstrual hygiene essentials, reducing the risk of infections and promoting better health outcomes (Ministry of Health Kenya, 2019). Access to contraceptives empowers informed choices about reproductive health (The Standard, 2016). For men, the inclusion of condoms and other sexual health products promotes safe practices and responsible family planning. Additionally, the availability of first-aid and hygiene products caters to their general health needs. The products will be varied depending on the demand.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

3

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

When school going females are involved, our project has the potential of making learners enjoy the benefits brought by this project e.g school retention, reduced stigma , ultimately leading to quality education

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

By empowering women and girls through improved access to essential self-care products. In Kenya, cultural taboos and financial constraints often limit women's access to these products, impacting their health, education, and overall well-being. The vending machines strategically placed in schools, workplaces, and rural areas will provide discreet and affordable access to menstrual hygiene products, contraceptives, and other essential selfcare items. This empowers women to manage their menstrual health, make informed decisions about their reproductive health, and participate fully in education and work. In addressing the specific needs of women and girls, this project challenges the societal norms and stigma surrounding menstruation, promoting gender equality and empowering women to take control of their health and well-being. This increased agency contributes to greater participation in decision-making and economic activities, ultimately fostering a more equitable society.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

3

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Most selfcare products contribute to personal hygiene and sanitation

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

3

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

The solar part would speak to clean energy

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

By creating employment opportunities and safe spaces for women. The development, installation, and maintenance of solar-powered vending machines require skilled labor, creating jobs for technicians, engineers, and other professionals. Additionally, the project opens up opportunities for local entrepreneurs to become franchise owners or distributors of the vending machines and the self-care products they offer. This creates a ripple effect of economic activity, stimulating local economies and contributing to overall economic growth. Furthermore, by providing women with easy access to essential self-care products, the project enhances their ability to participate fully in the workforce. Improved menstrual hygiene management, for instance, reduces absenteeism and increases productivity, benefiting both individual women and the businesses they work for. This project not only creates direct employment opportunities but also empowers women.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

3

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

This is an innovative idea to begin with.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

By making essential self-care products accessible and affordable to all women and girls in Kenya, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location and strategically placing solar-powered vending machines in underserved areas, this project contributes to reducing inequalities in several ways: Health Equity: It promotes equal access to healthcare by ensuring that essential self-care products are readily available to everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status or location. Educational Equity: Improved access to menstrual hygiene products reduces absenteeism among schoolgirls, ensuring equal educational opportunities for all. Economic Equity: By empowering women and girls with the tools they need to manage their health and well-being, the project enables them to participate fully in the workforce and contribute to economic growth, thus reducing economic disparities.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

2

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

-

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

By promoting sustainable practices and reducing waste associated with self-care products. The solar-powered vending machines are designed to be energy-efficient, utilizing renewable energy sources to minimize their environmental impact. Furthermore, the project will encourage responsible consumption by providing access to reusable menstrual products like menstrual cups and cloth pads, which can significantly reduce waste compared to disposable options. This aligns with the SDG 12 target of substantially reducing waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse. By promoting sustainable alternatives and reducing the environmental footprint of self-care product consumption, this project contributes to a circular economy and a more sustainable future for Kenya. It also raises awareness about responsible consumption practices among consumers, encouraging them to make more environmentally conscious choices.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

By utilizing solar-powered vending machines for self-care products. In Kenya, energy access and climate change are significant challenges. The project reduces reliance on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation. Solar-powered vending machines lower the carbon footprint associated with product production and distribution, aligning with SDG 13's goal of strengthening resilience to climate-related hazards. Equipped with sensors and data collection capabilities, the vending machines monitor energy consumption and optimize efficiency, further reducing their environmental impact. This data can assess the overall carbon footprint reduction, providing insights for future sustainability initiatives. By integrating green energy solutions, this project improves access to self-care products while demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

-

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

-

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

2

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

-

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

We are looking forward to expanding our partnerships in various areas of synergy as per this SDG mapping across the globe as this idea expands into markets within and beyond Kenya

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

4

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

4

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

4

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.08 Justification

This idea rides on proven concept for instance, milk ATMs to make a product to address the access, affordability and use of selfcare products among girls and Women in Kenya and beyond. There are components of this dispenser that we will create from scratch hence will be new in that respect

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Our main competitors include traditional retail stores, existing vending machine operators, and NGOs/government initiatives. Retail stores may be inaccessible or expensive, while current vending machines lack the focus on self-care and sustainability that we offer. NGOs and government initiatives, though addressing menstrual health, might not have as widespread or sustainable a distribution model as our solar-powered vending machines. Our project stands out through several key differentiators: Accessibility: We prioritize underserved areas with limited retail options, ensuring essential self-care products are readily available where they're needed most at competitive prices paid flexibly. Sustainability: Solar power reduces environmental impact and ensures operation even in areas with unreliable electricity grids. Data-Driven Approach: We utilize data to optimize product selection and placement, ensuring our vending machines effectively meet the specific needs of each community.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Our project actively promotes female entrepreneurship by: Partnering with women-owned businesses: We prioritize sourcing products and vending machine operations from women-owned businesses, creating economic opportunities for women. Skill Development: We offer training and mentorship programs to empower women with the technical and entrepreneurial skills needed to manage and maintain the vending machines. Leadership Opportunities: We actively seek and support female leaders to head local distribution networks and community engagement efforts, fostering female leadership in the self-care industry. Targeted Marketing: Our marketing highlights the stories and successes of women involved in the project, inspiring other women to become entrepreneurs. Community Engagement: We collaborate with local women's groups to raise awareness and build a supportive ecosystem for female entrepreneurship.