Development of Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Training in Ethiopia

Highlights

Empowering adolescent girls both in and out of school with information, skills, and a support network is one of the strategies employed by UNICEF to prevent girls from harmful practices and violence. This includes providing life skills training to enhance self-efficacy, agency, and promote positive role models. Through this report, UNICEF has documented its  experience with Interactive Voice Response (IVR) , which was introduced as a complement to girls' empowerment programs. Over 6,000 adolescent girls from eight regions (development and humanitarian) have actively participated in the regular life skill training and information sessions delivered through a pre-recorded voice messages on mobile phones. They have also been involved in co-designing the content and providing regular feedback through base, mid, and endline surveys. This shows the significant contribution of IVR training in enhancing knowledge, shifting attitudes, and changing practices related to child marriage and FGM.