Girl Effect

Bak Bak Gang, initiated by Girl Effect and facilitated through Chhaa Jaa, the youth brand in India, serves as an empowering space for girls across the country. This exclusive Facebook community for girls, established in 2019, celebrates girlhood and offers a platform for girls to delve into topics often considered taboo. With a burgeoning membership of over 2,800 individuals who have collectively contributed more than 75,000 comments, Bak Bak Gang has become a thriving digital community. To join, girls must respond to a series of entry questions, and once admitted, they can engage in moderated discussions covering various aspects of life, love, sexual health, and more. This safe, open, and non-judgmental space counters the intimidating and unwelcoming nature of the internet, which frequently overlooks the specific needs of girls. Bak Bak Gang is dedicated to empowering girls by addressing negative online experiences and fostering collective exploration of important issues.

Bol Behen, which translates to 'Speak, Sister' in colloquial Hindi, is Girl Effect's chatbot in India, providing girls with a confidential online platform to seek reliable and non-judgmental guidance on topics like sex, STIs, contraception, relationships, and other sensitive subjects they may hesitate to discuss with others. Bol Behen adopts a girl-centric approach and communicates in a blend of Hindi and English, known as "Hinglish." Unlike conventional helplines, Bol Behen is accessible 24/7 on-demand and is optimized for use on low-end smartphones with limited data packs.
Available on both Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, Bol Behen engages with girls on platforms they already frequent, addressing their concerns and dispelling misconceptions about love and sex through interactive and enjoyable conversations. To date, more than 240,000 users have initiated conversations with Bol Behen, resulting in over 2.7 million messages exchanged.