NAIROBI, Kenya – In a country where gender-based violence (GBV) is a daily reality, a group of South African women is taking matters into their own hands—literally.
The solution? An AI-powered app designed to protect, inform, and connect survivors with emergency help.
Data from real victims is helping shape an app with a panic button that alerts private security, an evidence vault for survivors, and an AI-driven chatbot named Zuzi.
This groundbreaking tool, developed by the nonprofit GRIT (Gender Rights in Tech), is set to debut at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris.
But here’s the real question: If South Africa’s tech innovators are using AI to tackle femicide and GBV, why isn’t Kenya leading the charge too?
AI as a Lifeline for Survivors
South Africa’s gender-based violence numbers are staggering: over 42,500 rapes and 53,000 sexual offences reported in just one year, according to official police figures.
Add in a shocking 34pc rise in femicide, and the crisis is clear.
The GRIT app isn’t just a convenience—it’s survival.The app offers:
- Emergency SOS Alerts – With the tap of a button, private security is dispatched to the user’s location.
- A Digital Evidence Vault – Photos, videos, and police reports can be stored securely.
- AI Chatbot Zuzi – Originally designed to provide legal information, Zuzi is now evolving into a digital confidante for survivors navigating trauma
And it’s free—funded by donors like the Gates Foundation and Expertise France. Plus, it works without data, ensuring accessibility for women in rural areas or those who can’t afford a phone plan.
More Than Just an App—A Movement
Survivors of abuse often face relentless roadblocks: stigma, legal red tape, and authorities that turn them away.
GRIT lead researcher Zanele Sokatsha puts it bluntly: “There’s a lot of roadblocks still in getting access and help.”
This is why tech-driven solutions matter. The GRIT app is bridging the gap between survivors and life-saving services—without forcing them to jump through bureaucratic hoops.
Kenyan Innovators, The Ball’s in Your Court
Kenya, much like South Africa, is grappling with a frightening surge in femicide cases.
And while the conversation around GBV is growing louder, there’s still a glaring gap in preventative technology.
Women are not moral compasses. You don’t need a mother, sister, wife, daughter to internalise the fact that we have femicide problem in Kenya. Or to feel guilty or to take action or to call out for justice. 12 murders (known) of women in 24 days #EndFemicideKE #TotalShutDownKE
Where are Kenya’s AI-driven solutions?
Where’s the app that helps at-risk women before they become another grim statistic? Kenyan developers, it’s time to step up.
Imagine an AI-powered threat detection system integrated with local law enforcement. Or a platform where women can discreetly flag unsafe areas in real-time.
The tools exist. The talent exists. The crisis demands action.
As South Africa rolls out its AI-powered safety net, Kenya should be watching—and innovating. Because when it comes to fighting gender-based violence, technology isn’t just a tool. It’s a lifeline.
