Gender-Based Violence in Nairobi Informal Settlements: Women Survivors’ Access to Justice through SMS

Abstract

This paper explores the role of SMS platforms in facilitating access to justice for survivors of
Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Specifically, it investigates the extent of SMS use among GBV
survivors in Mukuru informal settlements and the factors influencing their adoption of this
technology. The study is anchored in the Technology Acceptance Model and employs a mixedmethods research design, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches. A sample
of 310 women GBV survivors from Mukuru was selected for the study. Key informants included
representatives from ActionAid Kenya – a local NGO that introduced the SMS service – Wangu
Kanja Foundation, ActionAid’s local partner in Mukuru, as well as paralegals, community
health workers, police officers, and local chiefs. The findings reveal that women in Mukuru
heavily rely on SMS platforms to report GBV cases and seek justice. Additionally, the SMS
system provides a safe space for accessing and sharing information, empowering survivors to
make informed decisions. The study concludes that SMS technology plays a pivotal role in
reporting GBV incidents and facilitating access to justice for survivors. These findings are
valuable for technology developers creating mobile-based solutions, GBV practitioners
integrating technology into their interventions, and policymakers addressing the root causes
of GBV in informal settlements.