The COVID-19 pandemic saw an unprecedented increase in online interaction, including digital and technology-facilitated online abuse. Women Deliver, an international advocate for gender equality and the health and rights of girls and women, announced the 2020 cohort of Women Deliver Young Leaders: 300 young changemakers from 96 countries around the world who are committed to advancing gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights. One of them was Agita Pasaribu, an Indonesian lawyer and founder of Bullyid App.
In Indonesia, the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) recorded more than 900 reports of online gender-based violence cases in 2020 — a huge jump from 200 complaints in 2019. Further, this increase revealed the gaps in accessible, victim-focused, and trauma-informed service in the country. There was a notable lack of legal frameworks that protect the rights of online abuse victims. Victims, especially women, also faced stigma from both law enforcement and their community. These resulted in increased mental health issues, including stress, anxiety, and depression.
Concerned by this phenomenon, Agita Pasaribu built Bullyid App, a fully online platform focusing on providing affordable mental health and legal counseling for online abuse and gender-based violence victims. The platform also featured an online chatbot that could help identify signs of domestic violence, as well as a real-time reporting center for online abuse.
As part of this year’s Women Deliver Young Leaders cohort, Agita was able to receive training and resources to extend Bullyid App’s influence for gender equality and actively shape programs and policies that affect the health and rights of girls, women, and young people. This includes enhancing their advocacy knowledge and skills through Women Deliver’s digital learning platform, building their network through workshops and other convenings, receiving access to resources and grant funding, amplifying their influence through media and speaking opportunities, and participating in the Women Deliver 2022 Conference. This opportunity enabled Bullyid App to establish its footing and connect with a vast, international gender equality movement.
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