Enabling access to justice with mobile technology
Dada Wakili (Swahili for Sister Lawyer) is an AI-powered legal companion that helps women and girls in Tanzania understand their rights and navigate common justice challenges using simple mobile tools like WhatsApp and SMS.
It delivers clear, reliable legal information in plain language and connects users with resources they can use to act on their rights.
How it works
Dada Wakili:
- Provides instant, reliable legal information on core justice issues.
- Offers step-by-step guidance on topics like inheritance, land, marriage, gender-based violence, and business rights.
- Uses simple language designed for everyday decision-making.
- Is accessible on basic feature phones and smartphones — no data plan needed.
This low-bandwidth, mobile-first approach helps overcome common barriers in low-resource and rural contexts by meeting women where they are.
What users gain
With Dada Wakili, women can:
- Understand their legal rights with confidence.
- Make informed decisions about family, land, and finances.
- Seek help earlier and more safely.
- Navigate justice processes with less fear and uncertainty.
Evaluation report
Understanding AI-enabled legal empowerment for women in Tanzania.
Impact and evidence
Dada Wakili is grounded in a user-centred design tested with communities in Tanzania. Its development and evaluation show that legal chatbots can improve understanding of legal rights, boost confidence to act, and support broader access to justice goals — especially for underserved populations
