Aziza, an Egyptian startup focused on menstrual health, is one such solution that is shifting the narrative and breaking taboos around women’s health in Egypt. The app, which operates entirely in Egyptian Arabic, is designed to make menstrual health information accessible and relatable to Egyptian women in a way that feels familiar, personal, and free from the jargon often associated with medical or tech-driven solutions.
A Localized Approach to Menstrual Health
For many women in Egypt and across the Arab world, discussing menstrual health is still a sensitive topic, often mired in cultural stigma. With the launch of Aziza, Co-Founder & CEO Nesma Amin sought to provide a culturally informed solution that speaks directly to women’s needs. “I really wanted to build something inclusive that’s built for the masses,” Amin explains. “This has to be a solution that any Egyptian woman would find easy to access and use.” And with this goal, Aziza’s approach is radically simple—an easy-to-use period tracker that delivers clear, jargon-free information.
Amin’s vision is not just about creating an app—it’s about creating a tool that resonates with its users, one that acknowledges the unique needs of women in Egypt. Aziza’s success lies in its relatability: the app offers valuable health insights in a language that women in Egypt understand. By speaking to them in their native Egyptian Arabic, the app creates a bridge between the technology-driven world and real-world needs.
A Personal, Accessible Solution
While many health apps in the femtech sector focus on high-tech solutions like AI or complex data analysis, Aziza takes a more down-to-earth approach. “It’s very easy to say that we’re using top-notch tech and AI, but that’s not what Aziza is about,” Amin notes. “In this case, we try to simplify the process as much as possible, right from the first step.” The app prioritizes functionality over flashy technology, ensuring that it’s easy to navigate and designed for women from all walks of life, regardless of their digital literacy or access to sophisticated tools.
Aziza’s branding also speaks to this philosophy. “To me, Aziza is a kind, approachable, old person’s name,” says Amin. “But it also describes something precious or dear.” The choice of the name “Aziza” reflects a core value of the startup: to be a friendly, trusted companion for women on their menstrual health journey. This approachability is vital for creating a lasting connection with users, particularly in a country where health information can often feel out of reach or overwhelming.
Offline Accessibility and Real-World Insights
Aziza’s commitment to accessibility is reflected in the app’s offline capabilities, ensuring that women who live in underserved areas or in rural communities, where internet access may be inconsistent, can still benefit from its features. The app allows users to sign up with just a phone number, eliminating the need for an email address. This no-frills approach speaks to the practical realities of daily life in Egypt, where technology adoption is not always uniform, especially in rural areas.
The decisions behind Aziza’s design and functionality aren’t based on theoretical assumptions—they’re deeply informed by Amin’s fieldwork across Egypt. “The fieldwork I have done with women across the country, including Cairo’s Mansheyat Nasr, gave me clear, actionable insights into how women actually perceive reproductive and menstrual health,” Amin shares. These real-life insights shape the features and services Aziza offers, ensuring they truly meet the needs of its users.
Empowering Women and Creating Loyalty
Aziza’s user base is built on trust and understanding. As Amin points out, “Aziza’s features are personal, informed by real life, and as such our users are loyal to Aziza because it speaks to them. They don’t stick around because you have the latest AI-powered features—they stick around because you get them as people; as women.” This deep understanding of the cultural and practical challenges women face in managing their menstrual health has fostered a strong sense of loyalty among users.
In a sector where many solutions are driven by tech trends or distant research, Aziza’s success is rooted in empathy. It’s not just another health app; it’s a platform that empowers Egyptian women by making them feel heard, supported, and understood. By tailoring its approach to their realities, Aziza is turning menstrual health into a mainstream conversation, and in doing so, challenging centuries-old taboos that have hindered women’s health education in the region.
Changing the Conversation on Menstrual Health
Aziza is more than just a startup—it’s part of a broader shift in how we approach women’s health in the Arab world. Through its accessible language, offline capabilities, and deeply personal user experience, Aziza is redefining what it means to build a product that serves the people. It’s an inspiring example of how technology, when thoughtfully applied, can help tackle long-standing societal issues and bring about real change.
In a time when women’s health issues are often overlooked or sidelined, Aziza offers hope—a tangible solution grounded in cultural understanding and real-world needs. As it grows, Aziza has the potential to not only transform the menstrual health landscape in Egypt but also to pave the way for similar initiatives across the Middle East and North Africa region, helping women everywhere take control of their health with confidence and dignity.
