MARAWI CITY (PIA)—The world's first-ever period tracker that features a girl-led design and gamified approach for Bangsamoro women and girls was launched, March 16, in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), with support from various development partners.

The launched mobile application, called "Oky Philippines," was designed to inform users about menstruation and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Related Rights (SRHR). Since the app was developed to cater to BARMM constituents, it comes with Islamic content.

It has been localized in the Bangsamoro region through a partnership between the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Plan International, and support from the Australian Government. Key offices of BARMM, such as the Office of the Chief Minister, Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta, Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Services and Development, Bangsamoro Youth Commission, and the Bangsamoro Information Office, also played major roles in vetting the app's Islamic content and ensuring its alignment with Islamic teachings.

During the launch, Plan International Philippines Country Director Ana Maria Locsin said it is crucial for young people, particularly women in their puberty stage, to have a support system.

"It is important that we recognized the challenges and barriers young girls and young women continue to face in their pursuit of equality and justice," she said, emphasizing that Oky is for everyone who may need a friend to help them be a better parent, teacher, sister, brother, and supporter for the girls.

Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim said that the release of the app shows how much the regional government values the important and delicate role that women play in building a nation and keeping peace in the region.

"The Oky Menstrual Tracker App is very timely and significant as we continue to eliminate the risk factors that hinder our young girls and women from attaining the quality of life they want and deserve," Ebrahim said.

The launch of the Oky Philippines app in BARMM marks the start of a wider initiative in the country to make the innovative digital solution accessible to all Filipino girls and women and provide them with girl-friendly information on menstruation, puberty, and reproductive health. 

The app can now be downloaded from the Google Play Store under the name "Oky Philippines."(BIO/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)