The Quezon City government has launched “Chatbot Sophia” to help end violence against women.
Mayor Joy Belmonte expressed full support and gratitude to partner agencies for choosing Quezon City as the new hub of Chatbot Sophia, a computer program designed to interact with users through messaging platforms or applications and to provide automated responses by processing the data provided.
Chatbot Sophia was developed by the Swiss non-profit organization Spring ACT, led by international human rights lawyer Rhiana Spring.
The chatbot was launched along with the Embassy of Switzerland, SPARK! Philippines and Spring ACT.
Officials said it empowers victim-survivors of domestic violence by facilitating the collection of potential evidence, providing access to crucial resources and support, and continually evolving to address the needs of victim-survivors globally in numerous languages, including Filipino.
“Quezon City is taking the lead in incorporating AI to improve service delivery to its people and we are delighted that this extends to the realm of gender equality, of which we are among the country’s leading advocates,” Belmonte said.
“You did not only create for us groundbreaking technology, but most importantly you gifted us with an important platform that can make a remarkable difference, particularly in safeguarding and protecting lives, those of our women and girls,” she added.
Sophia is a revolutionary digital tool that enables individuals to take control of their safety and well-being, as an essential supplement to traditional support systems.
It is available 24/7, anonymously, and without leaving a digital trace, and that victims around the world can chat with her about the signs of abuse, the steps to take to leave an abusive relationship, and how to help a friend.
Belmonte also joined the Cycle to End VAW 2023 as part of the observance of the 18-day campaign to end violence against women.
The bike parade was organized by the Quezon City Gender and Development Council together with the Embassy of Belgium in Manila, Chevrolet, and #Sharetheroadwithher.
The city government distributed 600 bicycles to working women in celebration of the National Bicycle Day last Sunday.