DIALOG AXIATA
Q: How is Yeheli.lk empowering women across Sri Lanka?
A: Recognising the important role of women in society and their immense contribution to the local economy, Dialog Axiata partnered with Women in Need (WIN) and Hithawathi to introduce Yeheli.lk – a digital wellbeing assistant to empower and educate Sri Lankan women.
It is an anonymous, free and trilingual messaging platform, which connects users to expert advice pertaining to women’s health and wellbeing.
Available on the web for Android users (Yeheli.lk in Sinhala and English, and Thozhi.lk in Tamil), the platform aims to create a safe and trusted space to encourage women to discuss a range of topics that may be too sensitive for wider forums, and equip them with the knowledge they need to lead fulfilling lives.
While Dialog provides the platform, WIN offers crisis intervention support services to victims of violence at the advocacy level and with community work; and Hithawathi is a trusted point of contact for guidance and support for cyberspace related issues in Sri Lanka – including ensuring cyber harassment victims’ safety. The trilingual Yeheli app is available on Google Play.
Q: What is the project’s significance for women?
A: Access to information is a fundamental human right. However, it’s often the most vulnerable and marginalised people in our societies who suffer the most due to limited access to information, which is particularly true of women.
The project’s main objective is to provide an easy to use, safe and private platform to anonymously seek professional advice on all matters pertaining to women – be they medical, psychosocial, legal or otherwise.
Q: And how does Yeheli.lk work?
A: Yeheli users send queries through typed messages or voice recordings, and they have the option to attach images. The platform digitally links these queries to experts such as doctors, mental healthcare professionals, counsellors, lawyers and so on who provide necessary insights.
If an individual needs further medical or counselling services, they will also be directed to the appropriate government service providers. Moreover, those seeking information such as career guidance, financial management and educational advice will be directed to the relevant government and private sector service providers.
Irrespective of gender, most people are often unable to seek or access professional advice in moments of crisis – they are held back by discomfort and social stigma. Therefore, Yeheli.lk envisions becoming every woman’s confidante and trusted adviser in all matters related to health and wellbeing.
As such, matters discussed on this platform include topics like abuse, sexual health, contraceptives, relationship issues and domestic violence.
Q: How has the target market responded – and how will the platform’s scope be widened to meet future needs?
A: Yeheli was launched in March 2018 and continued to grow significantly last year, providing its services to users scattered across the world, from the US and the UAE, to Europe and Asia.
There are currently over 30 experts from various disciplines voluntarily assisting users, connected through WIN, the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, the Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences at the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka National Association of Counsellors and Hithawathi, as well as several professionally qualified independent experts in the medical, counselling and legal fields.
This year, we look forward to increasing the expert pool to provide improved services to users. I would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm invitation to other experts and organisations who would like to join the Yeheli family, and share their knowledge with those in need.
