An AI-integrated app is emerging as a vital tool for survivors. Developed by the nonprofit organization GRIT (Gender Rights In Tech), the app is designed to provide immediate assistance, legal guidance, and emotional support to women facing abuse.
The urgency for such solutions is underscored by South Africa’s troubling statistics. According to police figures, over 53,000 sexual offenses were reported in 2023-24, including more than 42,500 rapes. Additionally, femicide cases surged, with 5,578 women murdered—a staggering 34% increase from the previous year. Many more cases go unreported due to stigma and systemic barriers within law enforcement.
For Peaches, a 35-year-old sex worker who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons, the app represents hope. She recalls being forced by police officers to provide “services for free” to avoid arrest for prostitution. “This app, it’s going to give me that hope… that my human rights should be considered,” she told AFP.
The app’s key features include an emergency panic button that dispatches security officers, a digital vault for securely storing evidence, and a resource center. The upcoming integration of an AI-driven chatbot, Zuzi, aims to offer survivors real-time information on legal protections, health concerns, and support networks. Initially intended for legal guidance, Zuzi has been expanded to address intimate and personal concerns based on user feedback.
Thato, another survivor, endured years of physical abuse before realizing help was available. “It was actually heartwarming for me to find such a space,” she said, recalling how a football coach introduced her to an anti-GBV event that changed her life.
Despite the growing availability of support services, South Africa continues to struggle with deeply ingrained societal issues. Experts attribute the high abuse rates to a “perfect storm” of historical injustices, economic hardship, and entrenched gender norms. Craig Wilkinson, founder of Father A Nation, emphasizes the importance of male mentorship in breaking cycles of violence. “No boy is born an abuser,” he said. “There’s something going wrong in the journey from boy to man.”
The GRIT app, which has already been downloaded by 12,000 users, is free and functions without requiring mobile data—ensuring accessibility for rural and low-income users. Funded by donors including the Gates Foundation and Expertise France, the app is set to expand further. With its AI enhancements and community-driven development, it offers a beacon of hope for women trapped in cycles of abuse.
“It will save lives,” said a workshop participant. And for thousands of South African women, that hope cannot come soon enough.
