Assessment of Digital Tracking Systems and Tele-Counseling Interventions in Mitigating Widowhood Human Rights Violations in Anambra State
DOI:
10.29303/jppipa.v12i8.16242Published:
2026-08-31Downloads
Abstract
In Anambra State, widowhood sometimes is linked to gruesome violations of human rights such as ‘mourning rites and property appropriation’. The culture imposed traditional taboos, such as on reporting, and weak institutional response, historically, inflicted what are called “abuses of widowhood”, such as taking away the widow's property, compelling her to undergo mourning rites, and stigmatizing widows. To address these gaps, this research looked at the effect of digital platforms (reporting apps, SMS hotlines) and remote psychological support on documentation of violations, response time of law enforcement, trauma healing and legal empowerment. A descriptive survey design was used in quantitative data collection among 110 respondents of the region using structured 4 point likert scale questionnaire. The results indicate a consistent positive response; this reflects the use of digital tracking tools to enable confidential reporting, their effectiveness as a deterrent to grabbing and role as a major motivator for the increased law enforcement involvement. Similarly, tele-counseling was recognized as a crucial component to decrease psychological distress, the isolation of victims and to enable them to pursue legal action. The study, however, reveals the key limitations to equitable access, in particular low digital literacy, the lack of smart phones and cultural stigma, as well as poor rural network connectivity. The study suggests technological and virtual means of psychological solutions can offer a paradigm shift in justice and healing, but must attend to the infrastructure divide. The recommendations include scaling up the community digital infrastructure, introducing digital literacy at the grassroots level, establishing professional tele-counseling along the recovery pipelines and strengthening policy enforcement for cultural violations.
Keywords:
Anambra State Digital tracking systems Human rights Psychological trauma Tele-counseling interventions Widowhood violationsReferences
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