Ushahidi Launches Data Archive to Empower Civil Society and Academia

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

[Nairobi, Kenya] – 30 September 2024 – Ushahidi, a leader in crisis mapping and data management, today announced the launch of an Election Data Archive, with support from Filecoin Foundation for the Decentralized Web (FFDW). This innovative platform provides civil society organisations, researchers, policymakers, and the public with secure, transparent, and resilient access to citizen reports crowdsourced during the past Kenya elections.

This initiative reaffirms Ushahidi and FFDW’s commitment to open data and knowledge sharing, driving a future where data-driven insights lead to tangible, positive outcomes for all. Benefits of the Data Archive for civil society and academia include:

• Transparency and Accountability: The archive promotes transparency and accountability in elections by providing verifiable records of citizen-reported incidents. This data can be used to monitor elections, identify and address irregularities, and advocate for electoral reforms.
• Evidence-Based Advocacy and Research: Researchers and civil society groups can utilize the archive's rich datasets to gain a deeper understanding of electoral trends, voter behavior, and the impact of policies. The archive's commitment to data integrity ensures that this information is reliable and trustworthy for academic research and advocacy efforts.
• Preservation of Critical Information: The archive leverages Filecoin's decentralized storage network to guarantee the long-term preservation and accessibility of election data. Decentralized storage ensures data remains tamper-proof and resistant to loss due to technical failures.
• User-Friendly Access: Ushahidi provides a user-friendly web-based interface for browsing and downloading data from the archive. The platform's design prioritizes accessibility and ease of use for individuals and organisations with varying levels of technical expertise.
• Empowering Informed Decision-Making for a Stronger Democracy: The Ushahidi Election Data Archive marks a significant step towards leveraging technology to strengthen democratic processes globally. By providing open access to critical election information, the archive empowers civil society and academia to play a more active role in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance.

 

During the launch event, Ushahidi convened a co-creation activity with government actors, human rights advocates, technologists, and civil society leaders to brainstorm opportunities and challenges for data accessibility and long-term preservation. These two areas, though distinct, intersect in meaningful ways. Both require data management systems that prioritize transparency, and inclusivity while safeguarding the fundamental rights of individuals. As we move forward, Ushahidi remains committed to advancing these discussions and implementing the solutions proposed. Through initiatives like the Election Data Archive, we will continue to support a more transparent, accountable, and just world.

 

About Ushahidi:

Ushahidi is a non-profit tech company that builds technology for crisis response, human rights work, and election monitoring. Founded in 2008, Ushahidi has been instrumental in empowering communities around the world to raise their voices and contribute to a more just and equitable world.

Press Contact: comms@ushahidi.com

 

About FFDW

Filecoin Foundation for the Decentralized Web (FFDW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission of preserving humanity’s most important information. FFDW focuses on charitable activities, including building and supporting the decentralized web community, funding research and development, and educating the public about the decentralized web.