JUBA, South Sudan – After a harrowing experience of being subjected to a gang rape while out collecting firewood, a 28-year-old woman found herself struggling to access crucial healthcare services. Several clinics were either closed or unresponsive, and with no financial means to seek medical attention at a hospital, her situation became dire. Lying on a mat in a displacement camp in the capital city of Juba, she found herself pregnant, a tragic outcome of the assault.
Sexual violence poses a significant threat to many women in South Sudan. In an effort to improve the support system for survivors, a humanitarian organization has been leveraging technology to identify and assist victims more efficiently. However, challenges abound in a country where digital connectivity is sparse, literacy levels are low, and there is lingering distrust regarding data privacy.
An NGO based in Israel introduced a pilot project involving a chatbot on WhatsApp, aiming to streamline the process of reporting sexual assaults. Survivors anonymously share their stories via this platform, enabling the bot to alert social workers immediately, ensuring that aid reaches those in need within hours. Rodah Nyaduel, a psychologist involved with the initiative, highlighted the advantages of this technology. Physical documents are often misplaced, whereas this digital method ensures precise communication.
Nonetheless, experts caution about data privacy and the ethical use of information collected through such technologies. As Gerardo Rodriguez Phillip, an AI and tech innovation specialist, pointed out, organizations must be transparent about how they handle and protect this sensitive data.
According to IsraAID, the organization running the chatbot, all data is encrypted and anonymized, and it is promptly deleted from devices used by staff. During the chatbot’s initial three-month trial, 135 cases were reported.
The 28-year-old woman, recalling her ordeal, knew the urgency of seeking preventive care post-assault. Yet, when seeking help, she encountered numerous barriers, eventually leading to an unintended pregnancy. Later, IsraAID located her through their proactive community outreach, although she initially hesitated to let her information be recorded, fearing misuse.
The fear of sexual violence haunts many women who reside in displacement camps. Basic services have been scaled back due to diminishing international aid and negligible government investment in healthcare. With limited resources, many cannot afford transportation to access healthcare facilities.
Recent political moves, such as the U.S. administration halting USAID funds for examination purposes, have further strained aid efforts. Critical support systems, including psychological aid for survivors, now face significant setbacks.
Technological solutions are rarely employed by aid organizations dealing with gender-based violence in South Sudan. Survivors frequently express a preference for remote support, yet societal stigma further complicates their access to resources. Mercy Lwambi from the International Rescue Committee emphasized the necessity for discreet and quick interpersonal communications that can bypass these societal hurdles.
Despite these efforts, South Sudan’s mobile network remains one of the world’s least penetrated, with only a fraction of the population having access to mobile devices or the internet. Issues around literacy also affect the potential reach of technological interventions.
Kirsten Pontalti, an associate at an international organization focused on child protection, has initiated chatbots to facilitate education on sexual health and child protection during crises, emphasizing the need for solutions that cater to low-tech environments through features like audio support.
Survivors often stress the importance of being heard, underscoring the need for both technological and personal interventions. A 45-year-old man shared his ordeal, illustrating that aid workers’ persistent outreach efforts can eventually inspire victims to open up.
