Sakhi

Abstract

Opportunities for women in the healthcare sector have significantly improved during the past 10 years. However, Indian rural women still have barriers to healthcare access due to cultural and traditional norms. One of the main issues is the societal stigma that keeps these women from openly discussing their health. This study presents Sakhi, a chatbot created with the goal of assisting women in these areas by offering simple solutions to a range of physical and mental issues, with a focus on maternity care in particular. Sakhi is equipped to handle issues pertaining to both serious and small injuries, first aid situations, mental health issues, and women's health, including prenatal and postnatal treatment. It can converse in the user's preferred regional language, which enhances accessibility to medical information. Sakhi emphasizes the revolutionary potential of technology in empowering rural women, especially in the area of maternal care, and ignites broader conversations about equal access to information and communication by promoting a more inclusive and connected society.