Gender rights activist Leonora Tima has launched the mobile app Gender Rights in Tech (Grit) following the murder of a family member in Cape Town in 2020.
The tragic event, and the subsequent silence surrounding it, motivated Tima to create a platform that would empower individuals, particularly women, to record instances of abuse, store evidence, and seek assistance in a secure and accessible way, she explained to K24 Digital.
Tima explained and said that the killing was not covered by any news outlet, highlighting the overwhelming frequency of such incidents in South Africa, which has led to a desensitization of the public and media.
“Her death wasn’t published by any news outlet because the sheer volume of these cases in our country is such that it doesn’t qualify as news,” she said.
Before developing the app, Tima and her team spent several months engaging directly with communities in Cape Town’s townships to understand how abuse victims communicate and seek help.
They surveyed hundreds of people, focusing on how mobile phones and social media are used to discuss violence and the obstacles victims face in reporting abuse.
The research revealed a significant distrust of traditional support systems, with many people feeling abandoned by authorities and fearful of the consequences of speaking out. This insight directly influenced the app’s design, ensuring it would offer a safer, more confidential means for victims to share their experiences and access support.
The Grit app features three core tools aimed at helping those in need. The first is a help button on the home screen, which instantly records 20 seconds of audio and alerts a private rapid-response call center. The second is a secure digital vault that allows users to upload encrypted, dated photos, screenshots, and recordings for potential legal use. The third is Zuzi, an AI chatbot designed to offer emotional support and guide users to local gender-based violence (GBV) services.
The app is free and has already gained significant traction, with around 13,000 users and 10,000 requests for help logged in September alone. These figures demonstrate a clear demand for discreet, tech-enabled options for individuals seeking assistance in the face of abuse.
In addition to receiving praise for its community-driven design, the app has sparked discussions about the role of AI in trauma care. Lisa Vetten, a gender-based violence specialist, cautioned about the use of artificial intelligence in sensitive contexts.
Speaking to BBC News, she emphasized the limitations of AI, referring to it as a “Large Language Model” rather than true artificial intelligence.
“They engage in linguistic analysis and prediction, nothing more,” Vetten noted.
Despite such concerns, the app’s success highlights the growing acceptance of innovative solutions in tackling gender-based violence and providing support to those affected.
Description: Following the murder of a family member in 2020, South African activist Leonora Tima launched the mobile app Gender Rights in Tech (Grit), designed to help victims of abuse document incidents, store evidence securely, and access assistance. With tools like a rapid-response help button and an AI chatbot, Grit is rapidly growing, addressing the need for confidential, tech-driven solutions in the fight against gender-based violence.
Editor’s Note: This story highlights a critical intersection of technology and social justice, showing how innovation can provide solutions to pressing societal problems. By responding to the urgent need for secure and accessible ways for abuse victims to report and document violence, the Grit app addresses both the safety and emotional needs of individuals suffering in silence.
In a country where gender-based violence is a pervasive crisis, this app not only provides a new lifeline but also sparks necessary conversations about how to responsibly integrate AI into sensitive trauma care. It signals a shift toward more personalized, community-driven solutions in the fight for gender equality and protection.
Editor: Thato Mahlangu
Project manager: Do4SA
