Sixteen-year-old Bohlale Mphahlele from Limpopo, South Africa, has developed a groundbreaking wearable device to help combat gender-based violence (GBV). The invention, called the Alerting Earpiece, is designed to look like a stylish earring while doubling as a safety device.
With the press of a hidden button, the earpiece captures a photo of an attacker and sends it, along with the wearer’s GPS location, to emergency contacts and local authorities in real time. The goal is to provide a rapid response in dangerous situations and help identify perpetrators.
Mphahlele unveiled her prototype at the 2020 Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, where she earned a bronze medal. She was inspired by South Africa’s high rates of GBV and hopes to make a difference through technology.
Praised by educators and officials, Mphahlele is now seeking funding to bring her device to market and distribute it through schools and community programs nationwide.
