An artefact can be defined as a human made object that has a cultural or historical significance. It is an object that is defined and moulded by its context. Representing a moment in time and space, it serves as an informant of events and practices that were or still are. Such an object can be designed and contextually embedded to provide discourse, narrate stories, fuel thought and evoke emotions.

This thesis investigates and presents an approach to the creation of a series of artefacts that lend discourse to an important and ongoing topic - the sexual and reproductive health of women in low resource environments. This topic is explored through research conducted by M4ID oy, a social impact firm based in Helsinki, in the context of four countries - Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria and India. A practice led approach is then employed to develop a series of objects that represent this topic and important transition moments in the life journey of women in these countries. The objects, termed as Engagement Objects, are devised through methodologies of discursive design and applied art in the realm of experimental glass and ceramics. These objects aim to provide an immersive and evocative medium to help people engage and empathise with these topics that are far removed from themselves, through material and tactility.