By Tendai Makaripe
In the subdued light of their living room, Future Mhonda, a 39-year-old mother from Shamva district, hesitated before asking her husband for their children’s school fees.
His reply was a derisive dollar, leading to a fiery argument. As the dispute escalated, the physical blows inflicted surpassed the emotional toll of her request.
Left battered and broken, Future’s internal anguish overshadowed her physical wounds.
Future’s ordeal mirrors countless cases of intimate partner violence globally.
However, emerging technological advancements, specifically Artificial Intelligence (AI), offer a glimmer of hope.
Beyond its futuristic connotations, AI could be pivotal in addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Zimbabwe and elsewhere.
GBV, which infringes on human rights, affects millions globally and entails harmful acts rooted in gender differences.
Violence can lead to physical, sexual, and psychological harm.
In Africa, GBV hinders women from accessing fundamental rights, including dignity, peace, and socio-economic growth.
Although Africa has endorsed policies like the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Maputo Protocol to promote gender equality, GBV continues to be a prominent human rights violation.
The United Nations Women reports that around 736 million women globally have faced GBV, with 30% experiencing it multiple times.
In Zimbabwe, factors like poverty, cultural norms, and weak legal frameworks amplify the GBV issue. “Figures from the 2019 Multiple Cluster Indicator Survey (MICS) show that 49.4 percent of adolescent girls and women aged 15-49 have in their lifetime experienced any form of emotional, physical, or sexual violence committed by their current or most recent partner,” said Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights expert and programs officer at Katswe Sistahood, an organisation fighting for the rights and empowerment of women, Fadziso-Fadzisai Mawunganidze.
The MICS indicates that 39.4 percent of women aged 15-49 faced physical violence, 11.6% experienced sexual violence, and 34 percent were married before 18.
Given the severity, the UNFPA initiated a project to improve access to GBV and Sexual Reproductive Health services using Mobile One-Stop Centres and Safe Spaces.
“The Mobile One-Stop Centres provide survivors with services such as counselling, health services, police and legal assistance to GBV survivors all under one roof. Survivors can also access emergency supplies, such as dignity kits, post-rape kits, and family planning supplies,” said UNFPA communications specialist Bertha Shoko.
Gender advocate Caroline Magedi Gwandingwa argues that: “The prevalence of GBV in Zimbabwe can be attributed to fostered patriarchy, cultural gender norms, low literacy levels, poverty, wars, regional and tribal conflicts, and limited levels of information.”
Given the grave context of GBV, there’s a pressing need to utilize innovations like Artificial Intelligence (AI).
More than a sci-fi concept, AI offers a transformative solution for Zimbabwe to combat GBV. AI systems can process extensive data, learn, and even predict outcomes, going beyond basic programmed tasks.
“It is like giving a computer a semblance of human intuition. From recommending the next song on your playlist to helping doctors diagnose diseases more accurately, AI is increasingly becoming a part of our everyday lives, offering solutions to challenges both big and small,” said Information Communication Technology (ICT) specialist Fortune Nyamusa.
Globally, countries are tapping into AI to combat GBV.
Yet, in Zimbabwe, where GBV is a major concern, AI adoption is limited.
While others progress with tech-driven GBV solutions, Zimbabwe remains behind, overlooking AI’s potential benefits.
“It’s not just about technology; it’s about harnessing every available tool to safeguard the rights and well-being of countless individuals at risk,” said social commentator Tanaka Mandizvidza.
In combating GBV, AI-enhanced chatbots are emerging as key tools. Chatbots, software that simulates human conversation, can engage users naturally using AI algorithms.
“Through the use of chatbots, AI can be used to identify areas where GBV cases are more prevalent, detect obscure factors that contribute to violence, or provide victims with information, resources, and guidance in real-time through instant messaging platforms,” said Nyamusa.
The Sara chatbot, introduced by the UNDP’s InfoSegura Regional Project in partnership with USAID, uses AI to provide victims with confidential information instantly.
Sara offers 24/7 free guidance to women at risk of violence.
“This enables a GBV victim to assess her situation, so she can turn to the government or civil society services in the country,” said UK-based analyst Faith Kamupita.
“Sara also provides emergency contact numbers for government institutions in Central America and the Dominican Republic.”
Zimbabwe could benefit from emulating Thailand’s Sis Bot, a chatbot offering round-the-clock support for violence survivors. Accessible on mobile devices and computers, users can seek guidance from Sis Bot on police reporting, evidence preservation, and legal entitlements.
Sis Bot provides survivors with information on how they can best preserve evidence to assist the investigation.
Social worker Tinei Chitowa contends that Zimbabwe’s lack of investment in chatbots like Sis Bot may deprive GBV victims of timely, essential information and support, increasing their vulnerability. “Additionally, the lack of such digital tools may signify a gap in comprehensive efforts to address GBV, potentially hindering awareness, reporting, and intervention measures in the country,” she said.
AI can help combat the rising online violence stemming from increased social media use.
Online violence, encompassing cyberbullying, harassment, and hate speech, can inflict psychological and emotional distress, jeopardizing safety in digital spaces.
In Zimbabwe, female politicians, including Linda Masarira, Tatenda Mavetera, and Fadzai Mahere, have faced attacks due to differing political views.
Social media users, like Tawona Shadaya, have allegedly targeted notable women, such as Samantha Musa and Mai Titi.
“Using machine learning algorithms, AI systems are able to analyze behaviour, social media help messages, or emergency phone calls, for instance, detecting possible cases of GBV,” said tech entrepreneur Takudzwa Dzingai.
“This allows authorities to deploy early intervention and offer potential victims help, or it enables emergency services to identify and give priority to cases of violence against women, ensuring the response is more efficient and effective.”
With UNDP’s assistance, Peru developed eMonitor+, a tool that identifies hate speech and GBV in online political discussions, automatically filtering out offensive content on digital platforms.
“This helps create safer online environments for women and reduces the risk of being revictimized by their aggressor or malicious users,” said gender advocate Tyra Mhakayakora.
Timely reporting is crucial in addressing GBV. Zimbabwe could leverage AI to tackle this by adopting South Africa’s approach.
South Africa, in collaboration with UNICEF, introduced GovChat, an online platform for GBV engagement.
The GovChat platform is a free online application that links GBV victims to a governmental command centre, enhancing reporting and response.
“This application can be viewed and utilised from any internet browser. As such, this platform is leveraging data analytics to reduce gender-based victims and enable the platform users to access assistance resources anonymously. This is accomplished with real-time reporting and interactive mechanisms,” said ICT expert Takudzwa Mukonza.
AI, while promising, cannot replace human effort or the need for robust policies, laws, and awareness to address violence against women.
Harare lawyer Fungai Chiwashira emphasized that AI isn’t a catch-all solution for GBV in Zimbabwe.
“AI presents ethical, legal, and social challenges, including concerns about privacy, consent, accountability, and bias. It’s essential to use AI responsibly, ensuring transparency and inclusivity while upholding human rights and gender equality,” he said.
AI systems require large data sets, potentially collecting or processing sensitive information about GBV victims.
Law student Mlondolozi Ndhlovu said: “These systems risk hacking or data misuse, potentially victimizing individuals further. If perpetrators access this information, victims face heightened risks. AI can also unintentionally perpetuate bias.”
Algorithms reflect the data they’re trained on; biased data can lead to amplified biases.
For example, an AI for detecting online GBV, if trained on biased data, could miss some abuse types or unfairly target certain groups.
Overrelying on these systems can create a false sense of effective GBV resolution, potentially overlooking or worsening issues.
As technology advances and offers innovative solutions, the human touch remains paramount.
It is a fusion of technology and humanity that will pave the way towards a safer, more equal society where every woman stands empowered and protected.
