Cocoon
Designing safe spaces and services for managing menstruation among displaced populations of the Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement in Uganda
WHAT
In partnership with Alight and Kuja Kuja, YLabs co-designed, implemented, and is in the process of evaluating ‘Cocoon’ - safe, private, and accessible spaces and services for menstrual hygiene management (MHM). By designing directly with young women and girls our team will be able to build solutions that are safe, equitable, and sustainable within the system of the refugee settlement.
WHY
Limited access to sanitary pads, washing supplies, and safe, private, accessible spaces for managing one’s menstruation is a pressing problem for women and girls, affecting an estimated 3 million women and girls living in refugee camps. The lack of appropriate spaces and services can have significant health and psychosocial implications. It can affect their ability to actively participate in a community. It can prevent young girls from going to school, or women from accessing essential services such as water, food, or health provisions, if they are confined to their homes.
WHEN
2020 – ONGOING
ROLE
PROJECT LEAD
DESIGN RESEARCH
PROTOTYPING
ILLUSTRATION
TEAM
FAITH ANNE ACAM
JOSEPH KWESIGA
JORDAN LEVINE
TANYA BHANDARI
LINKS
YLABS
2020 – ONGOING
ROLE
PROJECT LEAD
DESIGN RESEARCH
PROTOTYPING
ILLUSTRATION
TEAM
FAITH ANNE ACAM
JOSEPH KWESIGA
JORDAN LEVINE
TANYA BHANDARI
LINKS
YLABS
Through a series of co-design workshops and consultations with young people and their communities in the Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement we developed a number of prototypes to test. These prototypes were focused within the three components essential to a complete MHM humanitarian response – supplies, information and supportive infrastructure.
Based on prototyping data, we have advanced an infrastructure prototype to pilot. The Cocoon Mini is a small multi-purpose space, built with locally available methods and materials that helps women manage their menstruation in safety and privacy. The spaces are located within household compounds, featuring a privacy wall that covers the space, locking doors, hooks and shelves for storing items, solar lights , and water access.
Currently, we’re building 20 Cocoon Minis that we anticipate will service approximately 300 young women and girls. Data will be collected throughout the pilot by local enumerators based in Bidi Bidi. The goal of the pilot is to test and refine the Cocoon model for scale. After piloting our design, we’ll be developing a cost-effective, scalable model that can address this priority challenge.
To find out more how we conducted community design work during the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, check out our blog post.