Across Kenya, frontline activists, frontline activists, fire fighters, community leaders, and whistleblowers are using technology to stop female genital mutilation before it takes place.
The AI to Catch a Cutter platform will connect communities directly to a secure reporting and response network. Through reliable whistleblowers’ information from frontline activists, digital mapping, and AI-assisted case management, alerts can be rapidly escalated to law enforcement to help protect girls at immediate risk.
Developed by Frontline Kenya and the Global Media Campaign—with the support of the UNFPA Joint Programme and funding from the European Union (EU) and Komesha FGM Sasa—this upcoming platform is designed to strengthen community-led protection systems by delivering real-time intelligence directly from cutting hotspots. Once launched, the system will securely connect whistleblowers living within practicing communities to a protected reporting process built to enable proactive prevention, rapid intervention, and long-term enforcement.
IMPACT SO FAR
Stage one of the Whistleblowers’ Tool was successfully implemented in Kuria during Christmas 2023, introducing a dedicated FGM whistleblowers’ hotline. Stage two will evolve this initiative by replacing the traditional hotline with an automated voice recording system, ensuring whistleblowers can securely report girls at risk 24 hours a day.
1,611 girls protected
Proved instrumental in helping to safeguarding vulnerable girls, who were subsequently rescued through a combination of community reporting, rapid emergency responses, and frontline interventions.
73 arrests made
Proved vital in exposing suspected perpetrators, ensuring they were identified and swiftly referred to authorities for formal investigation and enforcement action.
300+ whistleblowers
Community members and available activists providing intelligence and early warning alerts.
TECHNOLOGY FOR PROTECTION
Our coordinated response system bridges the gap between FGM communities and the police. The technology will ensure that the police’s time is spent most effectively by targeting the exact locations of the forthcoming cutting.
1. Alert Received
Whistleblowers community members submit an anonymous report through the USSD platform or online reporting form, providing details of a potential FGM case.
2. Case Verification
The upcoming system will securely capture information through the automated voice recording system and share it with the local authorities.
3. Rapid Response
The police receive immediate notifications shared by the whitsleblowers, enabling timely intervention and protection.
4. Care & Legal
Following intervention, survivors are connected to medical services while evidence is securely documented to support legal action and accountability.
ACCESSIBLE EVERYWHERE
We ensure that lack of internet is never a barrier to justice. Our multi-channel approach serves both remote offline areas and connected urban centers.
USSD *123#
For areas with no internet. Works on basic feature phones. Dial for free to report anonymously.
Secure Web Portal
For NGOs and partners to log detailed reports, upload evidence, and track case progress.
REAL TIME TRACKING & RESPONSE
Every second counts. Our geospatial dashboard will visualise reports as they happen, allowing command centers to deploy the nearest rescue teams immediately.
Live Heatmaps
Identify hotspots and trends visually to allocate resources where they are needed most.
FRONTLINE DIRECTORY
Technology is only one part of the solution. Behind every alert is a network of grassroots organisations, activists, rescue centres, and community groups working to protect girls at risk of FGM. When the Whistleblowers’ Digital Tool is complete, the Frontline Directory will play a leading part in helping to prevent and protect girls at risk from FGM. By connecting local knowledge with digital tools, the directory helps strengthen coordination and ensure that support can be found where it is needed most.
From community reporting and real-time intelligence to frontline action, every tool in this ecosystem exists for one purpose: protecting girls from FGM.
