Exploring the Role of Traditional and Digital Technologies in Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Marginalized Areas: A Case Study of Mashava District, Zimbabwe

This study critically examined the interplay between traditional and digital technologies in addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) within marginalized communities in Mashava District, Zimbabwe. The aim of the study was to explore the extent to which these technologies are accessible, effective, and integrated into local GBV response frameworks. The principal objective was to assess the effectiveness of traditional and digital technologies in enhancing GBV awareness, reporting, and support services. The current literature review focuses on the increasing global reliance on digital innovations such as mobile applications, SMS platforms, and AI-driven chatbots in combating GBV. The current literature highlights a growing global reliance on digital innovations such as mobile applications, SMS platforms, and AI-driven chatbots in addressing gender-based violence (GBV). However, a critical gap remains in understanding how these technologies function in resource-limited, rural settings where traditional mechanisms still play a significant role. This gap prompted an empirical investigation into how both traditional approaches and emerging digital tools are being used either independently or in combination to mitigate GBV in rural areas of Zimbabwe. A mixed-method research design was adopted, drawing upon both primary and secondary data. Primary data was obtained through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with survivors, local leaders, healthcare professionals, and law enforcement officers. Secondary data sources included police records, NGO reports, and government publications on GBV trends. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS , it revealed statistically significant relationships between technological access and reporting behavior. The Least Significant Difference post hoc test showed that digital technologies yielded a higher mean effectiveness score (M = 4.23) compared to traditional methods (M = 3.71), suggesting improved reach and responsiveness. Key findings indicated that while digital tools offer efficiency, structural barriers such as poor internet access and digital illiteracy hinder their full potential. The study recommended the adoption of a hybrid intervention model that enhances traditional mechanisms through digital augmentation, supported by policy reforms and community-based digital literacy programs.