Introducing Navina Mutabazi – our ACTivist of the Month – who’s a dynamic leader under 30, deeply passionate about harnessing data, technology, and AI for social justice. Navina redesigns projects to leverage technology in addressing community challenges, with a particular focus on empowering women and young girls. Her remarkable work has earned her recognition in prestigious global initiatives, including the “Mandela Washington Young African Leaders” programme by the U.S. Department of State and the “Data Values Advocate” programme by Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development Data.
Today, we sit down with Navina to explore her inspiring journey and her commitment to using technology as a force for social change.
Hi Navina! We would like to know about yourself – Where are you from, who are in your family and how was your childhood?
Hi! I grew up in a lovely, greenish rural village in Tanzania called “Marangu”. Our home was very close to the view of Mount Kilimanjaro, a stunning view to wake up to.
I recall my childhood to be filled with simplicity and love. Me and my two sisters, Granca and Afiba, grew up together, raised by our parents and grandmother, who believed in us fiercely. My late grandmother was our rock; she taught us to cook, clean, and always nudged us to finish our homework. She’d leave meals set aside for us after school, making sure we always felt loved and well taken care of.
Our parents were just as dedicated, always encouraging us to excel in school. My dad would often say, “Make sure you come at the top of your class,” and he meant it. I felt pressured back then, but now I am grateful he championed girls’ rights probably without himself knowing. I’m grateful to have grown up in a home where a girl’s education wasn’t just supported, it was seen as a way of life.
That’s wonderful! So, how did you come into activism and why do you think it is important to be involved in such work?
I have always been into data and digital tools. For me, through activism we can bridge the gap between technological possibilities and real-world challenges. Through my work experience, I have learned that creating change is possible by building digital tools, understanding vulnerable people’ needs, advocating for their rights and safety, and in the process ensuring technology serves their needs. When we combine activism with technological expertise, we are at a higher end of developing tangible solutions that truly address the complex challenges, like domestic violence, and help build a world where such violence no longer exists, especially for women who are predominantly affected by it.
What led you to become an ACTivist at Spring ACT?
I first learned about Spring ACT in March 2024 and was intrigued by the “Chatbot Sophia,” which they developed to address domestic violence. I found their approach interactive, digital friendly and well thought out. I started using the chatbot myself and kept following its progress over the months. When I saw that the ACTivist pool was open for applications, I felt it was the perfect chance to contribute more actively.
Given that my passion lies at the intersection of data, tech, and AI for social justice, joining Spring ACT felt like a natural fit for me. I was thrilled to be selected as an ACTivist in August 2024. The diversity of team members, remote working schedules and global mindsets of all the staff of the organisation makes the experience at Spring ACT great.
What has been your role as an ACTivist so far?
My role involves driving the development of community-focused digital solutions that are aligned with user needs, particularly the needs of women across the globe. I focus on refining features to ensure that Spring ACT’s digital innovations, like Chatbot Sophia or Comeback Catz, are user-centric, adaptive and reflective of challenges faced by women experiencing domestic abuse and other forms of gender based violence. I also work to enhance community features of our innovations, reimagining how accessible and impactful these solutions can be for women and young girls around the world.
Last month, I conducted an in-depth user testing sprint with Sophia Chatbot. This innovative chatbot is designed to provide an interactive, real-time support system for women facing domestic violence. Over the course of my three-day testing, I explored its functionalities, including real-time evidence documentation and secure communication features.
What stood out for me in this testing was Sophia’s ability to leverage Natural Language Processing (NLP) to comprehend local languages like Swahili, making it accessible to women across diverse communities, particularly in Africa.
As someone who believes in tech inclusivity, I see this as a crucial milestone in reaching marginalised women who often face language barriers when seeking help.
In contexts like Tanzania where domestic violence remains pervasive and underreported, Sophia serves as a tech-driven safety solution for women to navigate domestic violence.
With its planned launch in seven new countries, I am thrilled to contribute to scaling this transformative solution globally. By bridging technology with urgent human needs, Sophia represents a significant step toward safer, more supportive environments and an evidence-based approach to mitigate the harms brought by domestic violence.
What’s your thoughts on domestic violence and how do you see technology playing a role to prevent it?
I think domestic violence still remains one of the greatest threats facing women today, affecting one in three women globally at some point in their lives.
In many cases, survivors are trapped in cycles of fear, stigma, and isolation, which prevent them from accessing the help they urgently need. I believe this issue is not only a personal struggle for women, rather it is a broader societal challenge requiring a holistic approach, particularly for women in remote and underserved communities where support systems are often limited or absent.
I strongly believe that technology can play a transformative role in combating domestic violence. Digital tools like the Sophia Chatbot can offer discreet, real-time support, empowering survivors to document potential evidence, seek legal aid, and connect with local counselors without fear of exposure.
For example, in Africa, where over 40% of women experience intimate partner violence at least once in their lifetime, solutions like Sophia can extend support to those who might otherwise be unreachable. With language-inclusive features, Sophia is ready to break barriers and amplify the voices of survivors, by providing safety and a clear pathway to justice.
What advice would you give to someone interested in volunteering?
For anyone interested in becoming a volunteer, I would encourage them to start by identifying what deeply moves them and where their skills can make the most impact. In my case, I recognised that my tech advocacy and digital security skills background could be powerful in addressing gender-based violence, which allowed me to desire contributing at Spring ACT’s crucial work across the globe.
My step by step guide would be:
- Begin with learning and listening. Understand the complexities of the issues you want to address.
- Connect with existing organisations and experienced activists in your field of interest. The best solutions come from collaboration and building upon existing knowledge.
- Start small but think big. You don’t need to solve everything at once. Even small contributions, like helping a local women’s shelter improve their digital security or developing a simple safety app, can have a meaningful impact.
- Remember that activism isn’t always about grand gestures. Sometimes it’s about consistency or behind-the-scenes work – like improving user interfaces to make them more accessible for survivors, or ensuring technology solutions work in low-connectivity areas.
Most importantly, understand that being an activist means being part of a continuous learning journey. The landscape of both technology and social justice is constantly evolving, and staying effective means being willing to adapt, learn, and grow.
What has been your most memorable experience with us?
My most memorable experience with Spring ACT was when I tested the Sophia Chatbot for the first time and shared my thoughts about it on LinkedIn. It was truly rewarding to see how my post sparked engagement across the team. Many of the colleagues were quick to comment, share their own perspectives, and even repost it to amplify the message. The interactions made me feel more connected to the team.
The support and encouragement I received in response reaffirmed that we are not just colleagues but a community, united by a shared passion for using technology to drive social change.
It was a moment when I remembered the power of collaboration and how every contribution can lead to a broader dialogue and stronger impact.
Can you share a quote that inspires you and explain why it holds special meaning for you?
A quote that deeply resonates with me is from Sheryl Sandberg:
‘In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.’
This quote holds special meaning because it captures both the challenge and the vision I work towards in technology and gender activism. It inspires me because it envisions a future where being a woman in technology, or any field, isn’t remarkable or challenging, rather it is simply normal.”
What does an injustice free world mean to you?
An injustice-free world, to me, means a society where technology and innovation serve everyone equally, not just those with privilege and access. It means women and girls can move through both physical and digital spaces without fear of harassment or violence. More broadly, an injustice-free world is one where a person’s gender, location, or economic status doesn’t determine their safety or opportunities. It’s a world where survivors of gender-based violence have immediate access to support resources through their devices, where women in remote areas can access the same digital services as those in urban centers, and where technology bridges gaps rather than widening them.
Any more parting thoughts?
To me, this world isn’t a utopian dream but a practical goal we can work toward through thoughtful innovation, inclusive design, and persistent advocacy. While we might not achieve perfect justice, every step toward this vision, every app that helps a woman feel safer, every platform that amplifies marginalised voices, every technological solution that considers all users’ needs – brings us closer to this dream.
