The Ally Network

An app and service that connects women who previously had an abortion with the one who are in the process of having one in order to provide them with accurate information and emotional support.

Problem

Information about abortion is not entirely science-based, including information found online. Like with any other medical condition, the first step that many people take is to do research online. A quick search on Google shows how contradicting information about abortion is. For instance, the first result for searching “abortion risks” is from Foundation of Life, an Anti-Choice organization that relies on propaganda to encourage women to choose adoption over abortion.

In the midst of the overwhelming and contradicting information about abortion, women often rely on each other for getting the right answer and emotional support. 

How it works

Women who are looking for support at any stage in their abortion learn about the app through referrals by clinics and Pro-Choice organizations or by word of mouth. They have the option to start a conversation with an Ally, who is someone who has previously had an abortion and who has been trained to answer questions and provide emotional support.

They can also participate in group online sessions — an option for people who don’t have access to those sessions in real life, or who would like to stay completely anonymous. In these sessions, which are guided by an Ally, they can have conversations about decision making, recovery, etc. 

Campaign Design

The Ally Network campaign is aiming to portray a more humanistic face of abortion. This campaign was inspired by a conversation I had with one of my subject matter experts, who believed one of the ways to help lift the abortion stigma is to put a human face on it, which is something that is currently missing from the political debate. I intended to show that having an abortion is one of many other life experiences, and doesn’t necessarily define their lives.