Many Egyptian girls hear the phrase “mabrouk, kibirti” — meaning “congratulations, you have become a woman” — as soon as they get their first period. However, behind this traditional milestone lies a significant gap in reproductive health knowledge that prevents many women from truly understanding their bodies or forming a healthy relationship with them.
While pregnancy is often regarded as one of the most intense experiences a woman can undergo, female bodies are far more complex than pregnancy alone. Beyond pregnancy, women face numerous reproductive health challenges that are frequently overlooked or misunderstood. Conditions such as ovarian cysts, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and uterine fibroids can severely affect women’s well-being, yet these ailments are often misdiagnosed or dismissed as “normal” pain.
Recent studies highlight the vast reproductive health knowledge deficit among Egyptian women. A 2013 survey of 220 female university students revealed widespread ignorance and lack of awareness regarding reproductive health and care. More than a decade later, a 2024 study conducted in Ismailia found that even married women have limited understanding of their sexual and reproductive health and struggle to access adequate services and reliable information.
Both studies underscored two urgent needs: first, to equip women with accurate information about their bodies; and second, to create media awareness and safe, unbiased spaces where women can ask questions and seek support without fear or shame.
To address these needs, Motherbeing, founded by Egyptian midwife and sexual educator Nour Emam, recently launched Daleela — an AI-powered health assistant app designed specifically to support the sexual and reproductive health needs of Arabic-speaking women, who are often neglected in these areas.
Although artificial intelligence (AI) has become a buzzword in industries like climate and business, its potential to improve women’s access to reproductive health information remains largely untapped, especially for women facing social stigma, financial barriers, or limited nearby health services.
The Role of AI in Sexual and Reproductive Health
Using AI to bridge the gap in sexual and reproductive health information may seem straightforward, but the solution goes well beyond deploying a basic chatbot. Sexual and reproductive health is a highly personal and culturally sensitive domain. What works for one individual may not work for another, meaning effective support requires cultural sensitivity, contextual awareness, and tailored guidance.
The World Health Organization’s 2024 technical briefing highlights both the promise and pitfalls of AI in this field. While tools like chatbots and virtual assistants can expand access to information, they also carry risks of bias, especially when trained on non-representative data sets.
Daleela’s design addresses these challenges by emphasizing cultural sensitivity. The AI health assistant communicates in ways that resonate with Egyptian women, using their familiar language, cultural context, and a compassionate tone.
“For many women, Daleela is more than just a chatbot. It is like a friend, a sister, or even a mother in their pocket,” Daleela co-founder and CEO Yousef Elsammaa told Egypt Streets. “It speaks in their own dialect, provides culturally relevant information, and allows them to ask questions they might be too afraid or embarrassed to ask elsewhere.”
In just eight months, the AI assistant has answered over 650,000 questions, with more than 2,000 daily interactions, transforming Egypt’s reproductive health landscape. Daleela offers instant, evidence-based responses covering a wide range of topics from menstrual health and contraception to intimate questions about sex and relationships. This service is especially vital for young women preparing for marriage, who often lack reliable guidance.
“Most of the questions we receive relate to sexual health, particularly from women who are about to get married or newlywed,” Elsammaa explained. “Due to inadequate education, they experience fear and confusion. Many women just want answers to basic questions.”
Beyond information provision, the AI assistant also facilitates direct medical services. “If a user’s question indicates a possible medical condition, Daleela refers her to a doctor within the app. The AI helps collect medical history and symptoms to prepare detailed reports for doctors, speeding up consultations and improving efficiency,” Elsammaa added.
Privacy is a critical concern for many Egyptian women. “All chats and consultations are encrypted. Our technology complies with global privacy standards to ensure full data protection,” Elsammaa emphasized. “Even internally, we cannot access user identities. Only doctors can view patient information during consultations.”
Unlike generic AI chatbots available online, Daleela’s uniqueness lies in its local customization. “We use AI in two main ways,” Elsammaa said. “First, our chat assistant delivers thousands of precise replies in natural local dialects, which truly resonate with users. Second, we streamline medical consultation workflows, recording symptoms, generating reports, and ensuring doctors have comprehensive information before diagnosis.”
To maintain medical accuracy, Daleela’s AI is built on a knowledge engine developed internally over years by doctors and specialists, delivering evidence-based information in a familiar and reassuring tone.
Bridging the gap between digital services and real-life connection, Motherbeing will host the 2025 Daleela Women’s Health Summit on May 31. The event will bring together over 3,000 girls, women, and health experts for a day of advocacy, support, and storytelling.
Using the AI Health Assistant
Women often find it difficult to remember all their health concerns during medical visits or to openly discuss sensitive issues. This is why AI health assistants must handle a wide range of questions, especially those that may feel embarrassing or taboo.
With Daleela, women can freely inquire about sensitive topics such as body odor, small lumps or acne near the vagina, and private questions about marital sex life, like why intimacy with a partner might have decreased and what can be done to improve the relationship.
The app’s distinct focus on female pleasure and orgasm addresses a common cultural neglect of women’s sexual satisfaction. Its educational programs offer tools and advice to enhance female orgasm, from exploring different sexual positions to using sex toys, while debunking myths surrounding female sexuality.
Users can also schedule personalized medical consultations tailored to their needs — whether to understand infections and vaginal discharge, explore contraception methods suited to their lifestyle and health, or receive fertility and pregnancy planning guidance.
As the conversation around AI in women’s health evolves, some debate the balance between human care and technology. Daleela’s AI health assistant marks an important step toward democratizing women’s healthcare and making it more accessible for all.
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