How can technology serve as a tool for justice, not harm? Our recent six-month Matchbox partnership with TechHer Nigeria helped us explore exactly that.
Together, we co-created a digital platform to document and respond to online gender-based violence (OGBV), an issue TechHer has been tackling for nearly a decade. This collaboration not only delivered a secure user-centered reporting system, but also strengthened TechHer’s long-term digital resilience. “From the outset The Engine room team invested time in understanding our context, our goals, and the unique challenges we face in responding to OGBV in Nigeria. That groundwork of trust made a real difference,” reflects the TechHer team.
WHY TECHHER?
Founded in 2015, TechHer is a nonprofit social enterprise that empowers Nigerian women and girls through digital literacy, innovation, and community partnerships. A cornerstone of their work is addressing online gender-based violence (OGBV), a growing concern as more people move online.
When they joined our Matchbox programme, TechHer had three goals:
- Co-developing an interactive OGBV platform featuring incident reporting capabilities, an interactive map for data visualization, and a comprehensive digital safety resource library
- Strengthening data security and responsible data management to handle sensitive information securely
Building organizational capacity through training on platform management, secure data handling, and digital security protocols.
UNDERSTANDING THE LANDSCAPE
Our assessment of TechHer’s landscape revealed an organization with strong community connections and clear advocacy goals, but with room to strengthen their digital infrastructure and data management practices. TechHer was already collecting OGBV incident reports through various channels including social media, email, and a chatbot on their Kuram website, but these workflows relied heavily on manual processes using spreadsheets and Google Drive.
While TechHer had basic security measures in place, there were clear opportunities to implement formal data protection policies and stronger security protocols, especially considering the sensitivity of the data.
More importantly, we saw TechHer’s deep understanding of their users’ needs. Through interviews and process mapping sessions, we identified crucial features survivors and advocates needed, including anonymous reporting, multilingual support for Nigerian languages, and a “quick exit” feature for user safety. “The partnership wasn’t rigid. Instead, it gave us room to iterate, reflect, and grow in ways that felt organic to our context and aligned with our values. It was an exciting experience co-developing a more interactive, intuitive version of Kuram, one that better reflects the needs of survivors and frontline responders.”
DESIGNING WITH SURVIVORS IN MIND
Recognizing TechHer’s need for a centralized, secure platform for OGBV documentation and response, we collaborated to build a comprehensive solution using an open-source documentation platform.
The platform we developed together includes several key components:
Secure Incident Reporting – Users can report incidents anonymously or with identifying information, upload evidence (like screenshots), and receive a unique tracking ID. The system is secure, intuitive, and easily accessible.
Interactive OGBV Map – The platform features a dynamic filterable map that visualizes incidents across Nigeria by location, type, and timeframe. The visualization enables data-driven advocacy and intervention and helps uncover emerging patterns.
Data Management and Security Features – With privacy by design, the platform includes access controls, data encryption, and role-based user management. Sensitive data remains protected while aggregated insights support a broader advocacy.
“It felt like true co-creation, and that collaborative spirit made all the difference in achieving outcomes that exceeded our original expectations. We also appreciated that this was a partnership shaped by trust and mutual respect. In many global-local partnerships, decision-making can feel top-down. Here, we had room to shape the direction, question assumptions, and stay grounded in our values,” says TechHer’s Women’s Digital Rights and Safety Officer, Amina Salaudeen.
BEYOND THE PLATFORM: BUILDING SECURITY AND SKILLS
We knew that building a tool wasn’t enough, it had to be secure, sustainable, and empowering for TechHer’s digital team. Together, we embedded responsible data and security practices throughout their operations:
- Strong password policies and two-factor authentication
- Role-based user access
- Data retention, archival, and deletion (RAD) protocols
- Automated data backups and recovery systems
CAPACITY BUILDING FOR SUSTAINABILITY
A core component of our partnership was empowering TechHer’s team to manage and evolve the platform independently. We conducted tailored training sessions across several areas:
Platform Administration training for admin users on managing templates, user accounts, data imports, and system configuration. This included hands-on sessions with the platform’s various features and administrative functions.
Data Security Best Practices Workshops covering digital hygiene, secure data handling, incident response procedures, and ongoing security maintenance. We also provided practical tools like security checklists for both regular staff and administrators.
Responsible Data Management Training on implementing and maintaining TechHer’s new responsible data policies, including practical guidance on data retention schedules, secure deletion procedures, and handling data subject requests.
“Beyond the platform itself, this collaboration has strengthened how we work. Our internal practices around data ethics, digital safety, and team collaboration have grown sharper. We’ve elevated our standards for transparency and accountability, creating processes that ensure ethical considerations are embedded at every stage of innovation rather than bolted on later,’” says TechHer’s Digital Literacy &Education Officer, Ugochi Ihe.
LEARNING AND ADAPTATION
Like all successful partnerships, our work with TechHer involved continuous learning and adaptation. A key insight was the importance of integrating new platforms with existing workflows. Rather than replacing TechHer’s established Kuram website, we designed the Uwazi platform to complement and enhance their existing digital ecosystem.
We also learned about the specific challenges of building platforms for sensitive data in contexts where digital rights may be under threat. This reinforced the importance of robust security measures and careful consideration of what information should be publicly accessible versus restricted.
We also deepened our understanding of OGBV in the Nigerian context, how it manifests, who it affects, and what features survivors truly need. TechHer’s lived experience and local expertise were essential in shaping both the technology and the process.
WHAT COMES NEXT
As our formal partnership concludes, TechHer is well-positioned to use their new platform to enhance their OGBV documentation and response efforts. The platform provides them with a centralized, secure system for managing incident reports, while the interactive map enables new forms of data visualization for advocacy and policy work.
The capacity-building components of our partnership have established a strong foundation for TechHer to maintain and expand their digital infrastructure. Their team now has the skills and knowledge to manage the platform independently, implement ongoing security measures, and adapt the system as their needs evolve.
Perhaps most importantly, this partnership has strengthened TechHer’s ability to serve survivors of OGBV with greater security, efficiency, and impact. The platform provides new pathways for survivors to safely report incidents and access resources, while giving TechHer enhanced capabilities for advocacy and policy influence.
WANT TO COLLABORATE?
If you have questions about integrating tech and data more efficiently and securely into your social justice work, get in touch! We’re always eager to collaborate with passionate groups committed to social change.
- Read more about our Matchbox programme