The Omena Movement and the Power of Digitization in Addressing Emotional Abuse in Madagascar

Authors

  • Francesca Raoelison The Omena Movement
  • Tarruck Wheeler The Omena Movement

Keywords:

Madagascar, Domestic Violence, Emotional Abuse, Public Health, Digitisation

Abstract

This article explores the Omena Movement’s use of digital tools to combat emotional abuse in Madagascar. Emotional abuse, often hidden by cultural norms, has severe impacts on the mental and physical health of Malagasy women and children. Founded by Francesca Raoelison, the Omena Movement leverages social media to extend its reach, offer support, and foster a community of survivors and advocates. Despite challenges like internet access and digital literacy, Omena's digital initiatives have achieved significant milestones in awareness and education, aiming to break the cycle of abuse and contribute to sustainable development goals.

Author Biographies

Francesca Raoelison, The Omena Movement

Francesca Raoelison (She/Her) is the founder and Executive Director of Omena, a non-profit raising emotional abuse awareness in Madagascar’s educational system. Inspired by her own experiences as a survivor, she empowers youth with social-emotional learning tools to combat abuse.

Francesca is an Echoing Green Fellow, TEDx speaker, educator, and Forbes 30 Under 30 scholar. Her work has been featured by MTV and The Boston Globe, supported by UNICEF. She graduated from Brown University, where she was a Social Innovation Fellow and teaching assistant. She also mentors at the Clinton Global Initiative University.

Tarruck Wheeler, The Omena Movement

Tarruck Wheeler is a Computer Science Researcher and Mental Health Advocate pursuing a Bachelor's in Computer Science and International Relations at Florida Atlantic University's Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College. As a Jack Kent Cooke Scholar, he has held roles such as Chief Diversity Officer at ChemTalk, Prompt Engineer at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Research Intern at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Tarruck is a Member of the Board of Directors at the Institute for Strategic Policy and has received the James L. Watt Service Award. He is currently a Development and Fundraising Associate Intern at the Omena Movement.

 

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Published

2024-06-26

How to Cite

Raoelison, F., & Wheeler, T. (2024). The Omena Movement and the Power of Digitization in Addressing Emotional Abuse in Madagascar. Social Innovations Journal, 25. Retrieved from https://socialinnovationsjournal.com/index.php/sij/article/view/8293

Issue

Vol. 25 (2024): Digital Empowerment: Transforming Community Growth, Health, Economic Development, and Conservation through Innovative Technologies

Section

Digital Health and Nutrition Intervention

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Francesca Raoelison, Tarruck Wheeler (Author)

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