Using the Multidimensional Poverty Index (Mpi) Approach to Target the Poorest Girls in Fp Programming: Lessons from the Tiko Platform in Sub-Saharan Africa

Stanley Nyoro, Tiko Africa
Hildah Essendi, Tiko Africa
Leah Wanaswa, Tiko Africa

Poverty inequality limits access to sexual and reproductive health services among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Sub-Saharan Africa. AGYW who come from households with low socioeconomic status are exposed to unwanted/unintended pregnancies and risk of exposure to infections such as HIV and STIs. Tiko targets vulnerable AGYW in poor urban and peri-urban communities in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Burkina Faso, South Africa and Zambia using multidimensional poverty index(MPI). Using a digital platform, Tiko facilitates connections between AYP and health providers, leverages the involvement of micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses to improve the availability of health commodities in underserved markets, particularly those in lower socioeconomic strata. In Kenya, 46% of AGYW who receive Tiko services come from multidimensional poor households, while in Burkina Faso and Ethiopia, the proportion is 49% and 53% respectively. Tiko is able to utilising technology to ensure access of services to underserved AGYW living in multidimensional poverty.