Empowering Gender Equity and Social Justice in the Global South through Digital Humanitarianism and Participatory GIS

Following a theoretical and methodological analysis of the scientific literature on the role of digital Humanitarianism in promoting social justice in the Global South, this study explores the under-researched potential of INGOs in leveraging digital humanitarianism and participatory Geographic Information Systems (PGIS) to advance social justice, with a specific focus on gender equity. INGOs can use platforms like OpenStreetMap (OSM) to empower marginalized communities, particularly women and gender minorities, through data collection, analysis, and dissemination, enabling them to advocate for their rights and push for equitable, gender-sensitive solutions.

The concept of "digital humanitarianism" intersects with new socio-technical practices, alternative knowledge systems, and evolving institutional frameworks. INGOs play a critical role in utilizing digital tools such as PGIS to address gendered aspects of social justice, including climate justice, disaster relief, and human rights. Platforms like Ushahidi, HOTOSM, and Missing Maps showcase how INGOs facilitate crowd-mapping and geospatial data-sharing efforts, amplifying the voices of vulnerable populations, especially women, and fostering community resilience.

A case study highlights the contributions of INGOs and academic institutions such as OfficinaSocialeCOPE and the Universities of Catania and Palermo in supporting victims of the September 2023 earthquake in Morocco. This initiative integrates OSM-based crowd-mapping in a rural post-emergency setting, with training programs and virtual mapping environments aimed at addressing individual and collective vulnerability, with a particular focus on the disproportionate impact on women. The case provides empirical evidence of INGOs’ role in mobilizing digital humanitarianism to promote gender-sensitive social justice in the Global South.