ABOUT TALKAM
Global Civic Tech – from Africa to the World
The TALKAM Human Rights App is a global civic tech innovation designed to combat human rights abuses and promote accountability. It empowers citizens to report violations, track cases, and enables organisations and agencies to respond effectively through a secure digital case management system.
Tackling Human Rights Abuses Head-On
The app addresses a wide range of abuses, including human trafficking, child abuse, gender-based violence, online sexual exploitation and sextortion, electoral violence, and more. With features such as real-time reporting, case tracking, and a user-friendly interface, TALKAM promotes swift action, enhances transparency, and ensures that victims receive timely support.
Driving Collaboration and Data-Informed Action
Beyond reporting, TALKAM strengthens collaboration among civil society, legal institutions, and government agencies by streamlining responses and enabling data-driven decision-making. It provides valuable insights into trends and patterns of abuse, helping stakeholders develop targeted interventions.
Educating and Empowering Advocates
TALKAM also promotes human rights education through an integrated online learning platform, equipping users to become informed and active advocates.
A Community Platform for Engagement and Support
Additionally, the app fosters digital civic engagement by offering:
A social media networking space where citizens and advocates engage in dialogue and share experiences.
A directory of human rights organisations to connect users with local and international support services.
Access to human rights news platform, enabling journalists to publish human rights news, and users to stay informed and amplify underreported issues.
Opportunities for individuals and corporate bodies to support human rights work, including partnerships and donations.
Turning Technology into a Tool for Justice
With its expanding reach across countries and communities, TALKAM is redefining how technology can safeguard human dignity, strengthen advocacy, and amplify the voices of the vulnerable.
History of Talkam
2017
IIn February 2017, TALKAM was conceived by Joseph Osuigwe Chidebere, the founder of DEVATOP Centre for Africa Development, after observing low reportage of human trafficking, slow response to reported cases and by recognizing the need to leverage technology in countering trafficking. In a bid to stimulate citizens to take the responsibility of monitoring and reporting human trafficking, the word, TALKAM (a pidgin English meaning “To Speak Out”) was crafted. Joseph Osuigwe also carried out a preliminary fact-finding to understand the acceptability of technology tools for reporting human trafficking in Nigeria, but due to lack of support, TALKAM was put on hold.
2018
In October 2018, after Joseph Osuigwe returned from the International Visitor’s Leadership Program (IVLP) on Anti-Human Trafficking in the United States and inspired by how other organizations are using technology in countering human trafficking, he mobilized resources through individual contributions which was used to develop the first version of the TALKAM App www.talkam.org a Minimum Viable Product. This was used to document and respond to human rights abuses in Nigeria and other countries.
2019
With support from Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) and International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), TALKAM App was publicized through TALKAM weekly radio program and citizens started using the App to report human trafficking and gender-based violence.
2020
During COVID19, the U.S Embassy Nigeria supported TALKAM (under the TALKAM Against Human Rights Abuses Project). TALKAM App was used to document and respond to online sexual abuse, human trafficking, and other related abuses across Nigeria.
2021
Through the support from U.S Embassy Nigeria, Accion Contra La Trata and Pamplona City Council, TALKAM App was promoted across 10 states in Nigeria, gathering reports of abuses within and outside Nigeria, as well as engaging The National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to respond to them.
2023
DEVATOP Centre for Africa Development received support from the U.S Embassy Nigeria, USAID, and Palladium to upgrade the TALKAM Human Rights App and expand its reach. In November 2023, the upgraded version of TALKAM App was released for public use.
2024
The TALKAM Human Rights App received global recognition through the Intercultural Innovation Hub Award by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC). This recognition highlights TALKAM’s impact in leveraging technology to combat human rights abuses, empower communities, and strengthen civic engagement across multiple countries.
TALKAM App is not just a reporting platform; it is:
A human rights social networking platform.
A platform for human rights online courses.
A platform to access directories of human rights organizations.
A platform for human rights case management.
A platform for the publication of human rights information.
Powered by
with support from
© 2025 DEVATOP Centre for Africa Development. All rights reserved.
FOLLOW US
