Technology for Safety of Women

Gender Based Violence is the most pervasive form of human rights violation that women and girls regularly facing in Bangladesh. According to Odhikar, from 2001-2018, a total amount of 13638 including both women and children faced GBV and 72.7% of them have never disclosed their experience to others. In maximum time, it is seen that due to socio-economic pressure the victims’ family are forced to back off the legal actions. Due to this problem, we will offer the use of technology to reduce the harassment and increase the GBV complains. We are going to develop a user-friendly mobile application where any victim can complain anonymously to the correspondent authorities. The victim’s location can be identified through GPS tracker system. An Emergency SOS system will be developed to get alert from the victims to the familiar people. It will bring change in terms of women’s safety both inside and outside of home.

The incidents of violence against women particularly rape has increased significantly in last few months. Around 94% women have experienced sexual harassment in public transport through verbal, physical and other forms. This cause restriction in women’s mobility. According to research, most women in Bangladesh still suffer from chronic abuse, torture and violence in their homes. Four out of every five cases, brought before the court by women, are related with violence.

Sexual harassment in workplace is not unusual. Many women and girls, no matter where they work, encounter such incidents. Our values seemed to have degraded so much these days that even a two-year-old child is not able to escape from the oppression. Though our country is becoming one of the fastest developing countries in Southeast Asia, but incidents like these, can create obstacles in the way of development when it needs equal partnership of both male and female. It is like a social disaster for our country, where the culprits are out of charge and the victims are finding a way of committing suicide.

• ·   All women within (10-35) age is our potential customer but initially we will target to get attention from 10% of the total potential customer. Female students from educational institutions (7 million), female workers (5 million) and the housekeepers will be directly benefitted from our initiative.

• The main beneficiary from the project is women. There are certain things that they cannot express to everyone in the society. Only the close person can understand it. Most of the features of our application therefore maintain the privacy not highlighted the victim’s name and address. Based on the authenticity of the harassment, correspondent authorities like Police, DC etc. will take immediate action. Female can share their experiences of GBV and self-protective measures within themselves will surely remain inside the feedbox.

• The underlying causes of GBV are always the same, the form of violence committed may change as women get older but it never stops. Sexual harassment for instance is an impediment for women to achieve their goals in life. 

• We are going to develop an app considering both online and offline system that will be accessible from any smart phone to ensure women’s security before or during the emergency.

At first, we will develop an app user interface. The app can be used in the way of considering both online and offline. There will be various features including auto-updated location after every 5 minutes through GPS, a voice command system, complain box for the victims to complain silently to the correspondent authorities. The app will be build up in such a way that there will be two segments- one is for complain and another is for newsfeed sharing. In the complain box, victims can anonymously give their complain against sexual assault and this will be sent to the proper authorities who’s contact are stored in the app. On the other hand, in the feedback part, victims can share their experience, give and take suggestions from others or non-victims those are connected through the app. Apart from this, there will be a game/quiz session so that girls can utilize their knowledge in crisis hour. Some real life case solving and inspiring stories will also be uploaded over the time to boost up the confidence to fight against the monsters. The children who do not have to access the phone, the parents can use it because specific parenting usage system will also be developed so that they can taught their children about good and bad touch. Through the online connection, female can see self-preventing, safety, GBV protecting tips and videos. Even, if someone is in danger, she can activate Emergency SOS call/message to her family and friends. Moreover, this application will connect more and more women, serving, as a social community and therefore mass social awareness and social movement will increased against GBV.

Financial barriers to create the application and digital platform (website and contents)

1. Fatema Rahman

Master's student of Bangladesh University of Professionals

2. Sk. Maharul Islam

Master's student of Bangladesh University of Professionals

3. Monirul Islam

Graduated from Bangladesh University of Professionals