BehanChara (Sisterhood in Urdu)

BehanChara
(Sisterhood in Urdu)

Role

UI/UX Designer

Project type

Mobile App

duration

4 Months

YEAR

2022

As a cis male, I acknowledge that I have not personally experienced the issue of menstrual emergencies. To ensure this did not affect the project’s integrity, all decisions were entirely data-driven and validated by a female team member, who also held veto power over key design choices.

Disclaimer

Problem Statement

Many women, especially those with irregular periods like PCOS, often face urgent menstrual needs without access to sanitary napkins. The irregularity of cycles and a lack of awareness about period hygiene pose additional challenges. In Pakistan, safe access to menstrual care is limited. There's a need for a platform fostering community among women, providing support, and easy access to menstrual care products to alleviate these issues.

How might we design a platform to help people who menstruate in times of menstrual emergencies?

Design Outcomes

of users mentioned that they wanted the app to be a real thing

responses on the form from students at LUMS

average score on
the System Usability Score

“The variety of brands mentioned in the app, that too the ones that are preferred these days, shows how people behind this product have surveyed well”
“Dabba Sajao.. So Cute!!”
"Loved the attention to detail and knowing that periods are irregular and can occur anytime. Very well informed!"
"Very convenient and easy to use, very helpful features, especially the one which shows locations of nearby shops"

“The variety of brands mentioned in the app, that too the ones that are preferred these days, shows how people behind this product have surveyed well”
“Dabba Sajao.. So Cute!!”
"Loved the attention to detail and knowing that periods are irregular and can occur anytime. Very well informed!"
"Very convenient and easy to use, very helpful features, especially the one which shows locations of nearby shops"

Research

Secondary Research

By looking at different work done in the area and understanding different products and platforms such as period trackers and social efforts, we gauged the existing work done and what it was missing.

Gaps in Research

Limited data on menstrual emergencies and immediate challenges faced by women.

Lack of insights into product accessibility on Pakistani university campuses.
Minimal research on women’s perceptions of sharing menstrual products in culturally sensitive contexts.

Existing Products

Global apps like Flo and Glow focus on tracking but don’t address emergencies or sharing.

Online delivery platforms like Daraz.pk offer delivery but lack immediacy for emergencies.
Pad Vending machines on campuses are rare and are rarely stocked for emergency needs.

Only 16% of college-going women are completely confident in their ability to manage their period while at university
Source: World Bank Menstrual Health and Hygiene

Primary Research

This category details the step-by-step approach taken during the project, including research, planning, design, development, testing, and optimization phases.

Key Insights

This category details the step-by-step approach taken during the project, including research, planning, design, development, testing, and optimization phases.

Issues in Accessing Menstrual Products:
Limited Availability: Preferred brands often unavailable in vending machines or campus stores.
Usability Issues: Vending machines frequently out of stock or accepting specific currency notes only.
Stigma: Women reported discomfort purchasing pads publicly due to judgmental stares and societal taboos.
What should one do if a pad is not accessible in times of emergency?
Emergency Response Culture:
Many women rely on informal borrowing networks through WhatsApp or friends.
Late-night requests for menstrual products in hostel groups highlight the urgency of emergencies.
Willingness to lend pads in emergencies is high, but borrowing often depends on familiarity and comfort.
What can someone without a reliable friend do in times of emergency?
Product Preferences:
Over 98% of users prefer pads over other products like tampons or menstrual cups.
Many are reluctant to use unfamiliar brands even in emergencies but will compromise if necessary.
What can be done to ensure that users do not have to compromise on preferences?
Issues in Accessing Menstrual Products:
Limited Availability: Preferred brands often unavailable in vending machines or campus stores.
Usability Issues: Vending machines frequently out of stock or accepting specific currency notes only.
Stigma: Women reported discomfort purchasing pads publicly due to judgmental stares and societal taboos.
What should one do if a pad is not accessible in times of emergency?
Emergency Response Culture:
Many women rely on informal borrowing networks through WhatsApp or friends.
Late-night requests for menstrual products in hostel groups highlight the urgency of emergencies.
Willingness to lend pads in emergencies is high, but borrowing often depends on familiarity and comfort.
What can someone without a reliable friend do in times of emergency?
Product Preferences:
Over 98% of users prefer pads over other products like tampons or menstrual cups.
Many are reluctant to use unfamiliar brands even in emergencies but will compromise if necessary.
What can be done to ensure that users do not have to compromise on preferences?
Issues in Accessing Menstrual Products:
Limited Availability: Preferred brands often unavailable in vending machines or campus stores.
Usability Issues: Vending machines frequently out of stock or accepting specific currency notes only.
Stigma: Women reported discomfort purchasing pads publicly due to judgmental stares and societal taboos.
What should one do if a pad is not accessible in times of emergency?
Emergency Response Culture:
Many women rely on informal borrowing networks through WhatsApp or friends.
Late-night requests for menstrual products in hostel groups highlight the urgency of emergencies.
Willingness to lend pads in emergencies is high, but borrowing often depends on familiarity and comfort.
What can someone without a reliable friend do in times of emergency?
Product Preferences:
Over 98% of users prefer pads over other products like tampons or menstrual cups.
Many are reluctant to use unfamiliar brands even in emergencies but will compromise if necessary.
What can be done to ensure that users do not have to compromise on preferences?
Issues in Accessing Menstrual Products:
Limited Availability: Preferred brands often unavailable in vending machines or campus stores.
Usability Issues: Vending machines frequently out of stock or accepting specific currency notes only.
Stigma: Women reported discomfort purchasing pads publicly due to judgmental stares and societal taboos.
What should one do if a pad is not accessible in times of emergency?
Emergency Response Culture:
Many women rely on informal borrowing networks through WhatsApp or friends.
Late-night requests for menstrual products in hostel groups highlight the urgency of emergencies.
Willingness to lend pads in emergencies is high, but borrowing often depends on familiarity and comfort.
What can someone without a reliable friend do in times of emergency?
Product Preferences:
Over 98% of users prefer pads over other products like tampons or menstrual cups.
Many are reluctant to use unfamiliar brands even in emergencies but will compromise if necessary.
What can be done to ensure that users do not have to compromise on preferences?

Idea Generation

Sketches

This category details the step-by-step approach taken during the project, including research, planning, design, development, testing, and optimization phases.

Alternate Designs

This category details the step-by-step approach taken during the project, including research, planning, design, development, testing, and optimization phases.

Design Identity

Sketches

This category details the step-by-step approach taken during the project, including research, planning, design, development, testing, and optimization phases.

Alternate Designs

This category details the step-by-step approach taken during the project, including research, planning, design, development, testing, and optimization phases.

Solution

The resulting AI-powered scheduling app offers a seamless user experience, allowing individuals and businesses to effortlessly manage their schedules.

Intelligent Scheduling

AI algorithms analyze user preferences, availability, and priorities to generate optimized schedules.

Calendar Integration

Seamless integration with popular calendar platforms such as Google Calendar and Outlook, ensuring synchronized scheduling across devices.

Personalization

Customizable settings allow users to tailor scheduling preferences and priorities to their unique needs.

⭐️

Connect to Content

Add layers or components to make infinite auto-playing slideshows.

⭐️

Connect to Content

Add layers or components to make infinite auto-playing slideshows.

Results

Here, the outcomes and achievements of the project are highlighted, including user feedback, adoption rates, and industry recognition.

Increased Efficiency

Users report significant time savings and improved productivity through optimized scheduling recommendations.

Positive User Feedback

High user satisfaction ratings and positive reviews highlight the app's intuitive interface and powerful AI capabilities.

Growing User Base

The app quickly gained traction among individuals and businesses worldwide, with a steady increase in user adoption and engagement.

Problem Statement

Problem Statement

Problem Statement

How might we design a platform to help people who menstruate in times of menstrual emergencies?

Design Outcomes

Design Outcomes

Design Outcomes

Research

Secondary Research

Gaps in Research

Existing Products

Only 16% of college-going women are completely confident in their ability to manage their period while at universitySource: World Bank Menstrual Health and Hygiene​​

Only 16% of college-going women are completely confident in their ability to manage their period while at universitySource: World Bank Menstrual Health and Hygiene​​

Only 16% of college-going women are completely confident in their ability to manage their period while at university Source: World Bank Menstrual Health and Hygiene​​

Primary Research

Key Insights

Issues in Accessing Menstrual Products:

What should one do if a pad is not accessible in times of emergency?

Emergency Response Culture:

What can someone without a reliable friend do in times of emergency?

Product Preferences:

What can be done to ensure that users do not have to compromise on preferences?

Idea Generation

Idea Generation

Idea Generation

Sketches

Alternate Designs

Design Identity

Design Identity

Design Identity

Sketches

Alternate Designs

Solution

Solution

Solution

Results

Results

Results

Only 16% of college-going women are completely confident in their ability to manage their period while at university
Source: World Bank Menstrual Health and Hygiene

Only 16% of college-going women are completely confident in their ability to manage their period while at university
Source: World Bank Menstrual Health and Hygiene

Only 16% of college-going women are completely confident in their ability to manage their period while at university
Source: World Bank Menstrual Health and Hygiene