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#CountMeIn – Using AI to support victims of domestic violence
- South Africa is currently recognising 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.
The global campaign aims to galvanise action to end violence against women and girls, using the hashtag #HearMeToo. South Africans will unite under the theme #CountMeIn, which encourages members of society, especially men, to speak out against abuse and to work together to curb domestic violence.
The December holiday season traditionally sees an increase in the number of domestic violence incidents, due in large part to the relationship between alcohol abuse and violence.
“Hashtag activism is a great way to raise awareness about issues in society, to shift public opinion, and to influence public policy. But we need to start thinking beyond hashtags if we want to make a real change in the world, especially when it comes to using technology to solve issues like domestic violence,” says Global Director of Promotions at Sage Foundation, Joanne Van der Walt.
That’s exactly what rAInbow, a world first launched in South Africa earlier this month, seeks to achieve.
Meet rAInbow
Built by AI for Good, in partnership with the Soul City Institute for Social Justice and the Sage Foundation, rAInbow, is an artificial intelligence (AI) powered smart companion that aims to democratise access to information and support for victims of domestic violence, using familiar technology, like Facebook Messenger.
Speaking to rAInbow is like speaking to a friend, says Kriti Sharma, leading global voice on ethical technology and founder of AI for Good. “Users can ask questions like, ‘My partner takes my money, what can I do?’, ‘He hits me, can you help me?’, and ‘My partner calls me abusive names, is this normal?’ rAInbow provides answers in friendly, simple language, and will guide victims in getting the help they need. To date, rAInbow has had over 50 000 active conversations.”
Out of the shadows
“Abuse can be an isolating experience. Women often don’t seek support, either because of the stigma associated with it, because they’re embarrassed, or they genuinely believe it’s their fault. Because of this, it largely goes unnoticed and unreported. rAInbow provides emotional support and information about victims’ legal rights and support options, in times when a human is not available or they’re not comfortable talking to another person.”
As a technology company that champions women’s rights and empowerment, Van der Walt says Sage Foundation was proud to fund the launch of this world-first solution in South Africa, which has one of the highest femicide rates in the world. “The more openly we talk about social issues like domestic violence, the faster we can break the stigma and get more people to seek help. For this reason, we’ve created our own hashtag,#IamrAInbow, to have those open, honest conversations, not only about abuse but about how we can use technology to bring about meaningful change.”
Sharma stresses that rAInbow does not intend to replace the human connection. The hope is that, in talking to rAInbow, victims will have taken the first step to getting help.
Tech for good
South Africa is becoming increasingly digital. More people have access to smartphones and mobile data, which makes it easier to reach victims using tools like rAInbow and social media.
“With technology, we can democratise access to help, support and information for everyone – not just victims, but also their friends and family. These are the people who usually see the first signs of abuse but don’t know how to offer support, and don’t know if their advice is correct or useful. rAInbow can support them, too.”
Soul City held focus groups with victims of abuse and it emerged that, often, women just want someone to talk to, to know that they’re not alone and that what they’re going through is not okay. Abuse has no boundaries.
It affects everyone, from women at the height of their corporate careers, to those from the poorest backgrounds, across all race groups and social classes.
Yet, in every case, there are similarities, and when we start talking openly about these and raising awareness, women start to realise it’s not normal.
Time for change
“The world doesn’t need another food delivery app, and people are starting to realise that we can use technology to solve real problems, in everything from legal and financial services, to remote healthcare and education. There’s no shortage of challenges; we just need people who are motivated to solve them using the tools available today,” says Sharma.
She adds that the data collected from these solutions can be used to drive change in society.
“With rAInbow, for example, we made a strong design decision to maintain users’ privacy. Any data we collect will be anonymised, but the patterns that emerge from that data can be used to inform social reform or drive conversations with authorities to ask for change.”
“Everyone in society, regardless of whether they’re in an abusive relationship, should be informed enough to handle these situations. We need to work together to bring the stats down from one in three women facing abuse, to none,” concludes Van der Walt.
Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has congratulated Christians in Nigeria on this year’s Easter celebration, and urged them to emulate the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
The company, in a goodwill message to the Christian faithful in the country, lauded their perseverance through the Lenten period which preceded Easter. It enjoined them to always promote the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the virtues of the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
“Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”, Globacom added.
The company enjoined all Nigerians to share in the lessons of promoting selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society. It also enjoined all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
Easter is celebrated yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of seamless voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.
The Guild of Private Broadcast Managers has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as it celebrates its 70th Anniversary.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Guild’s National President, Ambassador Patrick Uzoyi-Peters, JP MNGRM, the guild described the milestone as a testament to the NUJ’s unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom, journalistic integrity, and the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
“For seven decades, the NUJ has played a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape, advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists, and ensuring that the voice of the people remains strong and unyielding. Your resilience, professionalism, and dedication to ethical journalism have been instrumental in fostering transparency, accountability, and national development”.
Celebrating this historic achievement, the Guild’s President, Uzoyi-Peters recognized the sacrifices and contributions of journalists across the nation who work tirelessly to inform, educate, and empower society.
The Guild reiterated it commitment towards collaborating with the NUJ in promoting responsible journalism and strengthening the media industry for the greater good.
While wishing the NUJ continued success, growth, and greater impact in the years ahead, President Uzoyi-Peters prayed that the anniversary serve as a renewed call to uphold the principles of truth, fairness, and press freedom in our collective pursuit of a more informed and just society.
News
Family Marks one-year Memorial of Late APC Chieftain, Ojougboh with Charity Outreach
By Ikenna Oluka
The family of the late chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, led by his wife, Mrs. Bose Ojougboh, marked his one-year memorial anniversary with a series of charitable initiatives aimed at honoring his legacy of philanthropy and service to society.
The memorial activities included the donation of school books and bags to pupils of Erigbe Primary School, in Agbor within the Ika South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education.
The outreach also included extension of financial assistance to patients at Central Hospital, Agbor, and the provision of toiletries, cash, and food items to children at the Salve Regina Children’s Home, Agbor.
The outreach was carried out under the ‘Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation’, a family-led initiative established to immortalise him and continue his lifelong commitment to education, healthcare, and social welfare.
Speaking during the event which took place recently, Mrs. Ojougboh reaffirmed the family’s dedication to sustaining the ideals of the late APC chieftain, describing him as a man who strongly believed in education and giving back to society.
“We are here to celebrate the life of my husband, Late Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, who passed on a year ago. In his honour, we decided to give back to society. He was a man who valued education and was always willing to help others. It is only fitting that we continue his legacy through acts of generosity,” she stated.
Honouring his passion for education
The first visit was to Erigbe Primary School, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education. The Foundation distributed school bags, writing materials, and food packs to the pupils. The family encouraged the pupils to take their education seriously and strive to become responsible citizens.
Supporting patients at Central Hospital, Agbor
At Central Hospital, Agbor, Mrs. Ojougboh and her entourage moved through the medical wards, offering financial support to patients to assist with their treatment costs. The hospital staff and beneficiaries responded with prayers and words of gratitude for the kind gesture.
Reaching out to orphaned children
The outreach team also visited Salve Regina Children’s Home in Agbor where they donated cash, food items, and toiletries to the children.
The Matron of the home expressed her deep appreciation to the Ojougboh family, commending their commitment to sustaining the late politician’s legacy of compassion and social impact.
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh’s enduring legacy
Reflecting on her late husband’s contributions to society, Mrs. Ojougboh emphasised that his legacy of generosity and service to humanity would not be forgotten.
“Dr. Cairo was a selfless man who touched many lives. His contributions to the Nigerian political landscape, his mark in Agbor Kingdom, Delta State, and the country at large, will always be remembered. He may be gone, but his impact will continue to be felt for generations,” she said.
The Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation has pledged to continue supporting education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives in his memory, ensuring that his vision for a better society lives on.
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