A new AI-integrated app is giving South African women a powerful tool against gender-based violence, offering security, support, and resources.
Peaches, a 35-year-old sex worker, says she was assaulted by police and now contributes to the app’s development to help others.
Developed by the nonprofit GRIT (Gender Rights in Tech), the app includes an emergency button, an evidence vault, and a resource center.
A major addition is Zuzi, an AI-driven chatbot set to debut at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris this month.
“This app gives me hope that my human rights matter,” Peaches said, requesting anonymity for her safety.
South Africa’s gender-based violence crisis is dire, with over 42,500 rapes and 5,578 women murdered in 2023-24, according to police data.
Many survivors, like Peaches, face stigma and institutional barriers when seeking justice or protection from their abusers.
GRIT founder Leanora Tima says she created the app to ensure survivors receive urgent help, legal guidance, and emotional support.
Researcher Zanele Sokatsha highlights that many victims never report abuse due to fear of dismissal or retaliation from authorities.
Thato, a woman in her 30s, suffered years of abuse before learning about available support at an anti-GBV event in Soweto.
The app’s features, shaped by user feedback, include a map of nearby clinics and shelters and a secure vault for evidence storage.
With 12,000 users and funding from the Gates Foundation and Expertise France, the app remains free and accessible offline.
