Introducing… FrontlineSMS:Legal!
As we welcome the newest member of the FrontlineSMS family, below is a guest post from its founder, Sean Martin McDonald. You can find out more about them on their website, or by following them on Twitter. Congratulations and welcome to the team!
The Case for FrontlineSMS:Legal
Mobile technologies are changing the way that governments deliver services. Whether it’s coordinating local medical treatment or crowdsourcing disaster assistance, innovators everywhere are harnessing the power of mobile phones to reach entire populations who live outside the traditional reach of their governments. As the FrontlineSMS community continually demonstrates, many of the barriers to service delivery are based on communication problems, not the services themselves. The law is no different.
Millions of people live outside the reach and purview of their national legal systems, forcing them to endure abuse and neglect. In the absence of law, people turn to either local leaders or settle disputes themselves, resulting in informal, and even violent, resolutions. At the same time, there are a number of incredible local leaders and civil society actors who step-in to fill this void. These people and organizations often risk their own safety and credibility in order to resolve simple disputes for their communities without government support or protection.
FrontlineSMS:Legal uses mobile technologies to extend, improve, and coordinate dispute resolution systems, increasing local capacity and access to justice in the areas that need it most. For more information, check out the newest member of the FrontlineSMS Family here!
As a Media member I may join Legal, as we have need of such services in the D R Congo. If a device were given to the villagers where there is not yet cell phone access to use Iridium or other low orbit sat to be able to send distress signals or follow up after violations of women and children, a big step forward would be found for todays repeated news headlines : 500 Raped in July with no help from the government or MONUSCO and no revelation until August – Sept !
The Technical answer should be sent to Mrs Clinton, Secretary of State, as she has seen our need and horror that has dragged on for some ten years now, with no solution or attention !
Catch us on Media Frontline Family.
Hi Richard,
Thanks for your comment!
You’re absolutely right that the dire situation in the DRC demands the attention of the international development community. Encouragingly, the State Department is already focused on bringing mobile justice to the DRC, using a range of methods.
Kate Krontiris, currently finishing her graduate work, wrote this article about her experience in Secretary Clinton’s Innovations Office this past Summer here: http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/entry/technology_bridge In this article she describes the context for expanding access to justice in the DRC and potential applications of mobile technology. As I understand it, the State Department is moving forward with this integral initiative, in large part due to Ms. Krontiris’ leadership.
It will be exciting to watch this progress and hopefully FrontlineSMS:Legal will be able to make a positive contribution. Get in touch if you know of people that we should be speaking with or ways that you think we should follow up.