In a nationwide effort to provide accurate information on menstrual health to young Filipinos, government agencies and development organizations have launched the 'Oky Philippines Period Tracker App'.
The app, for Filipino girls, aims to address gaps in knowledge and promote menstrual health and hygiene management.
The launching coincided with Menstrual Hygiene Day, which is observed globally on May 28th.
The Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM), and National Youth Commission (NYC) partnered with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Australian Government, and Plan International to introduce the Oky Philippines app.
Health Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire emphasized that they place great importance on addressing the sexual reproductive health needs of adolescents through its various programs and campaigns.
"The Department of Health prioritizes adolescent sexual reproductive health in our programs and campaigns," Vergeire said.
"We recognize the need of adolescent girls to access accurate information about their menstrual health and are happy to have the Oky Philippines app as a new digital platform that can help them make informed, healthy choices for themselves. Ensuring the health of our adolescents takes us one step closer to achieving a Healthy Pilipinas," she added.
The Oky Philippines app was developed based on Oky, the world's first menstruation education and period tracker app co-created by UNICEF with girls.
Supported by the Australian Government, the app is a collaborative effort between DepEd, DOH, POPCOM, NYC, and UNICEF Philippines, in partnership with Plan International.
Oky Philippines will be integrated into existing government programs such as DepEd's Comprehensive Sexual Education and the WASH in Schools programs.
It will also be part of the joint campaign "I CHOOSE #MalayaAkongMaging," led by DOH and POPCOM. Additionally, sexual reproductive health is one of the priority areas in DOH's "Health is Life" campaign, which focuses on health promotion for improved outcomes.
The Oky Philippines app is available for free download on the Google Play Store and will be accessible throughout Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
