The Game of Choice, Not Chance Initiative, implemented by women-owned small business Howard Delafield International, was selected as a winner of USAID’s 2023 Digital Development Awards.
India has one of the highest global rates of early marriage, with 23% of marriages involving a girl under 18 — a practice that often results in early childbearing and poor sexual and reproductive health
“Go Nisha Go” explores important topics like menstruation and menstrual products, and consent and contraceptives. It also includes in-game linkages to products and services and a chat bot where girls can ask questions. With Nisha as their avatar, game players can practice making decisions in realistic scenarios that can have broad implications for their relationships and career planning.
Through interactive gameplay in relatable storylines and informative resources, Go Nisha Go acts as a catalyst for change.
On the bustling streets of New Delhi, Sonia is on her way to meet her friends for “chai”. They are gathering to catch up and show each other their progress in a mobile game called Go Nisha Go.
They are excited as they have found a platform where conversations and information can be initiated through a game.
Go Nisha Go is a free-to-download mobile game app. Go Nisha Go, was conceptualized as a roleplay game to help girls navigate choices and learn from their outcomes in a virtual simulated world. In the game, the girls play the role of Nisha, the protagonist, and make pivotal choices that significantly impact her journey. They are provided with credible information from mentor figures who advise them on various aspects of menstrual health, consent, and contraception.
The overall takeaway is that this fun and interactive game can activate the motivation and desire to learn through a challenge or quest, simulate ‘push-pull’ conflicts, and allow players to experience choices in a safe place. Moreover, this game does nudge players to explore in-game resources and try products and services for use in real life. Finally, this game can stimulate confidence in real life through successes and failures within the game with the option to ‘replay’.”
The game tackles topics such as delaying early marriage to pursue their education and forge a career to gain financial independence. The game also provides direct access to useful third-party products, services, and resources that girls can obtain at the click of a button. Some of the resources provided include helplines, such as TechSakhi, Meri Trustline, ChildLine, and Hello Saathi. The game offers direct access to a variety of menstrual products (compostable pads, reusable pads, menstrual cups, tampons, and affordable pads by social enterprises).
Besides menstrual health, the game facilitates access to legal resources and comprehensive contraceptive information, creating a safe and holistic space for girls seeking knowledge and guidance in such critical aspects of their lives.