After being gang-raped while collecting firewood, a 28-year-old woman in South Sudan struggled to find medical assistance. Some clinics were closed, others turned her away, and she lacked the money for hospital care.
Five months later, she lay on a mat in a displacement camp in Juba, rubbing her swollen belly. “I felt like no one listened … and now I’m pregnant,” she said. The Associated Press does not identify survivors of sexual assault.
Sexual violence remains a persistent threat for women in South Sudan. Now, an aid group is using technology to locate and support survivors faster. However, low internet access, high illiteracy rates, and concerns over data privacy pose challenges in a country still grappling with instability.
Using Chatbots to Bridge the Gap
Five months ago, IsraAID, an Israeli humanitarian organization, introduced a chatbot on WhatsApp in South Sudan. The system enables staff to document survivors’ accounts anonymously, triggering immediate alerts to social workers who can provide aid within hours.
Rodah Nyaduel, a psychologist with IsraAID, said the technology enhances case management, reducing the risk of misplaced paperwork. “As soon as an incident is recorded, I get a notification with the case details,” she said.
While experts agree that technology can minimize human error, concerns remain about how such data is handled.
“Who has access to this information? Is it shared with law enforcement? Could it cross borders?” asked Gerardo Rodriguez Phillip, a UK-based AI and technology consultant.
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IsraAID insists its system is encrypted, anonymized, and automatically deletes records from staff devices. During the chatbot’s first three months in late 2024, it processed reports of 135 cases.
Barriers to Accessing Help
For the 28-year-old survivor, timely intervention could have changed everything. She knew she had just a few days to take medication to prevent pregnancy and disease, but when she approached an aid group, her details were hastily written on paper, and she was told to return later. When she did, staff were too busy to help. After 72 hours, she gave up. Weeks later, she realized she was pregnant.
IsraAID eventually located her through door-to-door outreach. Initially hesitant about having her information recorded on a phone, she agreed after learning the devices were not personal and that she could hold the organization accountable if issues arose.
She is among thousands still living in displacement camps in Juba, years after a 2018 peace deal ended the country’s civil war. Many fear leaving or have no homes to return to.
Women who venture out for necessities like firewood continue to face the risk of assault. Several women in the camps told the AP they had been raped but lacked access to services, as humanitarian aid has declined and government investment in health remains minimal. Many cannot afford transportation to hospitals.
The Impact of Funding Cuts
The situation has worsened following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent executive order pausing USAID funding for a 90-day review period. The freeze has forced aid organizations to shut down critical services, including psychological support for sexual violence survivors, affecting tens of thousands.
Can More Tech Solutions Work?
Most humanitarian groups tackling gender-based violence in South Sudan have yet to widely adopt technology. Some organizations believe an ideal app would allow survivors to seek help remotely.
However, stigma surrounding sexual violence makes it difficult for survivors—especially young girls—to seek assistance. Many need permission to leave home, said Mercy Lwambi, gender-based violence lead at the International Rescue Committee.
“They want to talk to someone quickly, without waiting for a face-to-face meeting,” she said.
Yet, South Sudan has one of the world’s lowest mobile and internet penetration rates—less than 25%, according to GSMA, a global network of mobile operators. Even those with phones often lack internet access, and many people are illiterate.
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“You have to ask: Will this work in a low-tech environment? Are people literate? Do they have the right devices? Will they trust it?” said Kirsten Pontalti, a senior associate at the Proteknon Foundation for Innovation and Learning.
Pontalti, who has tested chatbots for sexual health education and child protection, said such tools should include audio features for those with low literacy and remain as simple as possible.
A Desire to Be Heard
Some survivors just want acknowledgment—whether in person or through technology.
A 45-year-old father of 11 waited years before seeking help after being sexually assaulted by his wife, who forced him into sex despite his refusal and concerns about providing for more children.
It took multiple visits by aid workers to his displacement camp before he finally opened up.
“Organizations need to engage more with the community,” he said. “If they hadn’t come, I wouldn’t have spoken out.”
Source: With input from agency