Help us explore the tech for IoT contraceptive vending machines (open invitation)
Solving a wicked problem
A few months ago, I wrote about how we’re looking to use Internet of Things vending machines to provide discreet access to contraceptives for women and adolescents.
In the developing world, 214 million women want to delay or avoid pregnancy but are not using modern contraceptive methods, and the proportion is highest in sub-Saharan Africa at 21%.
Lack of access to modern contraceptive methods can lead to unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted diseases and maternal deaths. But we can address this by finding new ways to provide consistent, discreet access in ways that are best tailored to people’s needs.
I am delighted that we are partnering with the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and local delivery partners to try a new, disruptive approach to tackle this complex development challenge in Malawi and Kenya.
We need your help
How best can we use connected vending machines to provide women with a discreet, convenient and consistent source of contraceptives? How might we approach the technical challenges of making this work in difficult environments? How can we combine our vending machines with smart cards or mobile phone-enabled activation to ensure access for those who need it most?
To help us find the answers to these questions, DFID and CIFF are excited to be hosting a tech exploration session with potential technology providers to present our thoughts to date and explore how we can turn this idea into a reality.
This will kick off preparations for our in-country pilot, and we will look to bring one or more technology partners on board following the event.
If you have experience or expertise in:
- Internet of Things technology or;
- “Smart” vending machines
Please put the date in your diary and bring your ideas to the event to explore how we can make our vision a reality.
The details of our event are:
Time: 10:00–12:00 (UK time), Thursday 19th July
Location: Online or in person: 50 Farringdon Road |London EC1M 3HE
No international development experience is necessary, and we do not necessarily expect anyone to have or to share technical solutions at this stage. We are looking for different perspectives on what the technical challenges might be, and how we might approach them.
To register to attend, please fill out your name and contact details on this form.
This brief presentation outlines our thoughts to date, including our vision and initial hypotheses.
