GRIT’s App Aims to Make it Easier for Women to Access Resources from Their Homes
JOHANNESBURG: She says she was violated by police. Now, she’s brainstorming an AI-integrated app with a panic button that alerts private security to help other women caught in South Africa’s tragically high rates of abuse.
Peaches, a 35-year-old sex worker, is among the more than a third of South African women that will experience physical or sexual abuse in their lifetimes, according to UN figures.
The Problem: Lack of Access to Resources
Many cases of gender-based violence (GBV) go unreported because victims face stigma or are turned away by authorities, said GRIT lead researcher Zanele Sokatsha.
The Solution: GRIT’s App
Equipped with an emergency button that deploys security officers, an evidence vault, and a resource centre, the app will also include an AI-driven chatbot called Zuzi that will be showcased at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris this month.
User Feedback Matters
The features are based on user feedback gathered at workshops around the country. "It will save lives," said one woman at the same workshop attended by Peaches.
The App: A Game-Changer
The app is free, funded by GRIT’s donors, including the Gates Foundation and Expertise France. It already has 12,000 users. Once downloaded, it can work without data, making it accessible to those who cannot afford phone plans or are in rural areas with limited networks.
Zuzi: The Chatbot
The chatbot Zuzi, to be released in the coming months, will be available on the app and also integrated into certain social platforms, technical lead Lebogang Sindani said. Zuzi was initially intended to provide only practical information, like how to apply for a protection order. But, its repertoire has been broadened after feedback "that people are more interested in talking to Zuzi about… intimate things" like their health, Sindani said.
Conclusion
Even if there are more services than ever to help women who are attacked and strong public condemnation of cases that make it to the media, South Africa’s abuse rates remain stubbornly high.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is GRIT’s app?
A: GRIT’s app is an AI-integrated app designed to make it easier for women to access resources from their homes, where much of the abuse happens.
Q: What features does the app have?
A: The app has an emergency button that deploys security officers, an evidence vault, and a resource centre, as well as an AI-driven chatbot called Zuzi.
Q: How many users does the app have?
A: The app already has 12,000 users.
Q: Is the app free?
A: Yes, the app is free, funded by GRIT’s donors, including the Gates Foundation and Expertise France.