AI-based Digital

Assistant providing information and guidance on the risk of violence against women, girls and adolescents (SARA)

PROJECT OWNER: InfoSegura-UNDP Regional Hub Panama 


SARA – developed by the InfoSegura project, in partnership with USAID-- is an artificial intelligence assistant in the form of a chatbot that seeks to prevent violence against women and girls in Central America and the Dominican Republic by providing information and guidance to women and girls at risk of becoming victims of violence via a web-based chat. This tool can reach more individuals than other traditional resources such as printed manuals or guidebooks and has the added benefit of sharing with the users additional resources and assistance, whilst maintaining confidentiality.  


 

SARA is an example of the possibilities of using machine learning, since it is capable of learning and logically interacting with the users. The information provided by SARA is developed by national specialists to ensure that the information and guidance is in line with the context, language and idioms of each country, and sensitive to the users’ needs. 

This tool offers a safe, anonymous and confidential first contact for people who feel at risk and allows them to assess their situation and access governmental or civil society care services available in their country. It also offers information on support services, legal issues and how to create an emergency plan, as well as emergency numbers and contacts for victims of violence. The service is free of charge and is available 24/7. 

SARA was developed in compliance of information safety, privacy protections and data storage guidelines. It also includes authentication headers, verification software for incoming information and protections against cyber-attacks.  

SARA has had more than 5,000 conversations with over 1,000 users since its launch in May of 2023. 

 

This article was originally published in:  https://chatbotsara.org/  

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