Colorar

Our solution addresses the economic impact of domestic violence by providing a support network and resources for women. This epidemic not only inflicts physical and emotional trauma but also is a pervasive issue globally, leading to economic hardships and hindering development, draining as much as 2% of a country's GDP, according to data from the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. Moreover, according to a report by the World Bank, domestic violence costs the global economy around $1.5 trillion annually in lost productivity. 

Not only that but victims of domestic violence often experience disruptions in their employment and income-generating activities, leading to financial instability and poverty. Research published in the Journal of Family Violence suggests that domestic violence survivors are more likely to experience unemployment, underemployment, and lower wages compared to individuals who have not experienced domestic violence. Furthermore, children who witness domestic violence may experience long-term consequences, including poor academic performance, behavioral problems, and mental health issues. These challenges can perpetuate the cycle of poverty and have broader economic implications for society. 

In conclusion, the multifaceted impacts of domestic violence underscore the urgent need for comprehensive solutions. By addressing the economic dimensions of this issue and providing support networks and resources for women, we can mitigate the profound social and economic costs associated with domestic violence.

Our solution, Colorar, is a mobile app designed to address the pressing issue of domestic violence while promoting economic empowerment among women in Brazil. With a crucial mission to provide comprehensive support to victims of domestic violence, Colorar also aims to empower women economically by facilitating access to resources and opportunities.

Colorar's features are tailored to meet the needs of women experiencing domestic violence while also supporting their economic independence:

1. Fake Screen: Colorar has innovated by introducing the Camouflaged mode that resembles a coloring app's fake screen, serving as a password. In fact, Colorar in Portuguese means ‘To color.’ Then, users can only access the true application by correctly selecting and coloring a flower drawing according to predefined patterns. Users can also access the disguised painting page whenever needed to hide the main Colorar content, a differential from the other apps. 

2. Colorar Aid: This feature serves as a central hub for users seeking assistance from Colorar. It offers reporting channels for incidents of violence, connecting users with professional help and support services. Through Colorar Aid, users can access volunter attorneys to address legal matters, connect with volunteer psychologists for mental health support, and locate social workers in their area for additional, in-person assistance. Moreover, Colorar provides the Flower System, where women register people of their trust to be alarmed when they need help. 

3. Gallery Proof: Providing a secure storage area for users to store audio evidence of abuse, Gallery Proof ensures user privacy and security while preserving important documentation for legal purposes.

4. Content Screen: Colorar offers a wide range of resources covering topics related to social, financial, and legal matters. By providing legal educational content, Colorar empowers women with vital information to make informed decisions and understand their rights. Additionally, interactive lessons and quizzes on financial literacy and entrepreneurship are available to help women build economic resilience.

5. ColorarAI: The app's artificial intelligence feature provides quick answers to questions whatever doubts women may face. 

6. Forum: Colorar hosts an exclusive forum where users can interact and support each other, sharing personal experiences and seeking advice. This forum serves as a platform for women to exchange knowledge, resources, and opportunities for personal, professional, and economic advancement.

7. Marketplace: Colorar's marketplace showcases products and services created by and for women, promoting economic independence and entrepreneurship. Users can explore and purchase products tailored to their preferences, supporting female-owned businesses and strengthening the local economy. Additionally, Colorar collaborates with companies dedicated to women's economic well-being, offering affordable prices and sustainable options, such as menstrual hygiene products, to women with limited financial resources.

By combining support for victims of domestic violence with initiatives to promote economic empowerment, Colorar aims to break the cycle of abuse and foster sustainable economic development for women in Brazil.

Colorar is designed to serve women in Brazil who are victims of domestic violence or know someone experiencing abuse and rely financially on the abuser, providing them with access to essential support and resources via a basic smartphone. Many women will not feel encouraged to report the abuser as she may depend on him financially, and solely reporting her situation will not make it better as she will have no financial abilities to afford her personal expenses or even her children expenses.

Moreover, they often lack a supportive community around them and may not have the courage to report due to these factors. Brazil itself lacks a comprehensive tool against domestic violence. There are mobile apps that offer emergency buttons to call the police or even an audio proof gallery, but none of those solutions is as holistic as Colorar, which provides a community of women eager to help and encourages entrepreneurship as a means to break free from violence.

Additionally, the unique feature of the application with its disguised nature, a coloring app, allows victims to use it secretly without their abuser knowing about Colorar’s real intention.

Through Colorar, women and girls gain access to vital information about their personal, relationship, emotional, legal, and economic rights, as well as the assurance that they will receive support from other women when leaving an abusive relationship, reducing the risk of returning to such situations. By empowering women with resources and opportunities for economic advancement, Colorar contributes to breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality, fostering sustainable economic development in Brazil.

Collaborations with government agencies and NGOs will ensure the sustainability and scalability of Colorar. Emphasizing the user-friendly nature of Colorar ensures that it is accessible to women from diverse backgrounds, including those with limited literacy or digital skills.

By addressing these aspects, Colorar not only serves its target population effectively but also provides a holistic solution to the complex issue of domestic violence and economic empowerment in Brazil.

Since 2017, Gabriela, founder and leader of Colorar, runs a women’s clothing store, which has the lemma ‘From women to women.’ Since the business’ inception, Gabriela has been dealing with 10k+ women from diverse backgrounds (low-income, upper class, rural areas, etc), ages, and experiences. But a lot of them have one thing in common: domestic violence, without financial freedom most of the time. For all of those years, the store became a place of freedom for women, and on a daily basis, Gabriela noticed that women didn’t go there to buy clothes, they went there to have someone to talk to. Also, she noticed how many women under threat asked to wrap clothes without the store’s logo and to not make it look as if it was a piece of clothing as their partners shouldn’t discover they are buying non-essential items. 

Gabriela explored and continues to closely explore and analyze the stories and situations of women from her community in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil’s countryside. There are women who suffer from violence for partners, and don’t have any privacy and freedom; women who left their jobs as their partners wouldn’t enjoy it; and more. From girls that need to understand their place in society and find professional courses to women suffering serious violence and needs privacy, financial, legal, or emotional assistance, Colorar has been designed for their needs. 

But not only Gabriela has closely dealt with women’s struggles. Camily runs a Girl Up Club and has been involved in women-led projects since 2020. In search of solutions for her community and, exceptionally, her personal familiar problems with domestic violence, Camily started thinking of ways to solve this issue most effectively and adequately for the women who needed it. Besides that, in her community, many girls married early-age to their partners and started to only take care of their houses. For that reason, many girls around her face violence without a clue or assistance to escape from that as they depend 100% on their partners. This way, these women are exposed to fewer opportunities for a successful and healthy future. For those reasons, Gabriela and Camily teamed up to develop a solution.

Colorar is currently a prototype, built with Java Script XML (a syntax extension for JavaScript that allows developers to write HTML-like code within a JavaScript file), CSS, and React Native framework through the Expo Go program. While is built and accessible for any smartphone with Expo installed, not all features do work like the ColorAI, forum, marketplace, or chat with psychologists and attorneys. 

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the support Colorar would provide for underserved women in our community, our team conducted a survey engaging with over 50 respondents. This survey aimed to evaluate the feedback of our target audience spanning across the diverse population of Brazil, including women of varying age groups, racial backgrounds, and representing a wide spectrum of socioeconomic classes, with a notable emphasis on individuals with limited financial resources.

A striking 98% of respondents disclosed that they had either personally experienced or known someone who had encountered some form of violence or abuse. They expressed that Colorar would have made a significant difference in their reporting process and the environment afterward, particularly with the community support and opportunities for economic empowerment.

Moreover, the survey revealed that the majority of these cases remained unreported, highlighting the urgent need for a solution like Colorar. For the 32% of women fearing judgment, 55% afraid of being discredited, or 30% experiencing emotional dependency, Colorar's Forum creates a vital support network through discussions and chats with psychologists.

For the 10% facing legal challenges, 14% lacking resources to report, or 14% unfamiliar with their rights, Colorar's "Home" section offers educational content that empowers women with comprehensive knowledge about legislation supporting women's rights. Additionally, the "Aid" page connects users with social workers who can provide vital assistance in navigating legal processes and ensuring their rights are upheld.

Lastly, for the 14% of women fearing physical assault or worse, Colorar's "Flowers" feature acts as a guardian. It enables users to contact trusted individuals in times of peril. The "Gallery" serves as a secure repository where users can store evidence of various forms of aggression, crucial for legal proceedings. To ensure absolute privacy, the application allows users to establish a unique access code, safeguarding sensitive information behind the guise of an innocuous painting application simulation screen.

Through these endeavors, Colorar has made significant strides in addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by women experiencing domestic violence in Brazil. Our focus on user engagement, feedback integration, and iterative development has laid a strong foundation for the future growth and impact of Colorar in serving and empowering underserved women across the country.

Colorar won 1st place (out of 2,600 technology solutions) in the Technovation Girls competition in October 2023, gathering $3,000 for personal expenses for the team. Yet, we decided to maintain $1,600 for Colorar’s future needs. While monetary funding would be greatly appreciated, the team itself does not have enough coding abilities to fully code the mobile app so it can be launched. Therefore, more required than funds, is technical support to fully build the app. 

Also, Colorar’s team does not have experience in launching social impact solutions, so receiving coaching, having workshops, and other related opportunities for it and continuing Colorar’s operations would be crucial in Colorar’s future and changing thousands of lives of women.

Many apps aimed at ensuring women's safety tend to focus solely on facilitating the reporting of incidents. Colorar distinguishes itself by providing a comprehensive approach to women's safety and empowerment, emphasizing economic development and liberation from violence.

Empowering women through education remains a cornerstone of Colorar's mission. Colorar's Content feature provides users with information on gender-based violence, legal rights, economic development, and more, offering free, comprehensive content covering topics such as women's rights laws, recognizing signs of abusive relationships, and fostering healthy attitudes toward relationships and finances. By informing users about their rights and encouraging safe exploration of financial independence, Colorar challenges societal norms and fosters economic empowerment.

To support users in navigating the reporting process and addressing related concerns, Colorar introduces ColorAI. Powered by artificial intelligence, ColorAI provides users with quick, straightforward answers to their questions in simplified language, making the process more accessible and informative.

In situations where users need to report incidents of violence, Colorar offers secure and private reporting tools aligned with legal frameworks like the Maria da Penha Law. The app's Proof Gallery securely stores evidence such as audio recordings, assisting users in legal proceedings and ensuring their safety.

To assist users facing legal challenges or seeking to leave harmful relationships, Colorar provides an Aid page with a unique "Flower System" for designated trusted individuals. Additionally, users have access to a support network of professional volunteers, including psychologists, social workers, and attorneys, dedicated to preserving women's dignity and well-being, regardless of their age or socioeconomic status.

To safeguard user privacy and security, Colorar introduces Camouflaged mode, resembling a harmless coloring app's fake screen, serving as a password. Users can access primary content by correctly selecting and coloring the screen according to predefined patterns, ensuring discreet access to essential resources.

In addition to facilitating access to support services, Colorar fosters community engagement through its forum, enabling users to share experiences and discuss topics such as mental health, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, Colorar includes a Women-owned Business Marketplace feature, promoting and supporting female entrepreneurs by showcasing their services and products. 

In conclusion, while other safety apps offer similar features, Colorar stands out by providing a holistic approach to women's safety, emphasizing economic development and liberation from violence. Its unique features cater to the diverse needs of users, empowering them to feel safer and more empowered in their communities.

See the table below to compare Colorar with other existing apps.

Competitor Analysis

Rede Mulher

Salve Maria

PenhaS

SOS Mulher

Colorar

Camouflage mode

Emergency button

Call the police

Content Support

Guardians (flowers)

Proof Gallery

Women-owned-business support

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the support Colorar would provide for underserved women in our community, our team conducted a survey engaging with over 50 respondents. This survey aimed to evaluate the feedback of our target audience spanning across the diverse population of Brazil, including women of varying age groups, racial backgrounds, and representing a wide spectrum of socioeconomic classes, with a notable emphasis on individuals with limited financial resources.

A striking 98% of respondents disclosed that they had either personally experienced or known someone who had encountered some form of violence or abuse. They expressed that Colorar would have made a significant difference in their reporting process and the environment afterward, particularly with the community support and opportunities for economic empowerment.

Moreover, the survey revealed that the majority of these cases remained unreported, highlighting the urgent need for a solution like Colorar. For the 32% of women fearing judgment, 55% afraid of being discredited, or 30% experiencing emotional dependency, Colorar's Forum creates a vital support network through discussions and chats with psychologists.

For the 10% facing legal challenges, 14% lacking resources to report, or 14% unfamiliar with their rights, Colorar's "Home" section offers educational content that empowers women with comprehensive knowledge about legislation supporting women's rights. Additionally, the "Aid" page connects users with social workers who can provide vital assistance in navigating legal processes and ensuring their rights are upheld.

Lastly, for the 14% of women fearing physical assault or worse, Colorar's "Flowers" feature acts as a guardian. It enables users to contact trusted individuals in times of peril. The "Gallery" serves as a secure repository where users can store evidence of various forms of aggression, crucial for legal proceedings. To ensure absolute privacy, the application allows users to establish a unique access code, safeguarding sensitive information behind the guise of an innocuous painting application simulation screen.

Through these endeavors, Colorar has made significant strides in addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by women experiencing domestic violence in Brazil. Our focus on user engagement, feedback integration, and iterative development has laid a strong foundation for the future growth and impact of Colorar in serving and empowering underserved women across the country.

Colorar was developed to efficiently address the critical issue of domestic violence, supporting victims throughout the reporting process, as well as democratizing access to information on sexual health and reproductive rights for women and girls in Brazil. Our impact goals for next year and beyond are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 5, which focuses on gender equality.

Colorar's objectives encompass short-term and long-term goals, targeting specific percentages of Brazil's female population. In the short term, the app aims to reach 10,000 active Brazilian women, within the first year. This goal seeks to reduce concerns and uncertainties related to reporting incidents by 10%. Over five years, the long-term vision is to expand the user base to 50,000 active Brazilian women, with an ambition to decrease concerns about reporting incidents by 25%. Additionally, Colorar seeks to educate 68% of its users on women's rights and economic development, aid 15% through its support services, and empower 27% financially. Moreover, the app aims to involve 45% of its users in buying and selling through the "Marketplace," promoting women's economic autonomy and self-reliance.

Beyond that, we also plan in the next years:

Expansion to other countries: we intend to gradually extend our application to other countries in South America, starting with Bolivia, which has similarities with the Brazilian system and in other countries, considering cultural nuances and specific needs.

Female entrepreneurship and financial independence: Our aspiration is to contribute to an increase of up to 15% in the rate of female entrepreneurship.

To achieve these impact goals, we are committed to establishing strong partnerships with forprofit companies, local institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and governments who are dedicated to supporting women victims of domestic and sexual violence. These partnerships allow us to adapt Colorar to be even more effective in each region of Brazil.

Colorar is currently a prototype, built with Java Script XML (a syntax extension for JavaScript that allows developers to write HTML-like code within a JavaScript file), CSS, and React Native framework through the Expo Go program. Also, the App utilizes APIs (like the Google Search API) and an open source Firebase called Supabase. 

Colorar's dynamic team, comprising Camily, Isabelly, and Izabella, is composed of passionate women. Camily, our Lead Manager and Outreach specialist, brings advocacy experience from running a gender equity-focused NGO. Her fervor comes from a personal connection—witnessing the challenges her grandmother endured, forced into early marriage and motherhood. Isabelly, skilled in User Experience and Marketing, draws inspiration from her mother's resilience as a self-employed hairdresser, fueling her commitment to economic development and female entrepreneurship. Izabella, our Community Manager, channels her enthusiasm for law into championing women's rights and creating opportunities. Together, our diverse strengths harmonize with Colorar's vision for empowering women.

Colorar idea was born in January 2023 when Gabriela and Izabella were competing in a Brazilian national hackathon. However, the idea was better polished as well as the prototype was built during the Technovation Girls, which won 1st place, season through March to April 2023. Since then, we have been looking for funding opportunities as well as partnerships. Therefore, s far we have partnered with UNICEF and Insitituto Solasi.

At Colorar, diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral values to our mission of serving women from all backgrounds. Our team reflects this commitment through our diverse composition and inclusive practices.

Gabriela, our founder, embodies the intersectionality that defines Colorar's approach. As a member of an indigenous community in a suburban area, Gabriela brings a unique perspective shaped by her bisexual identity and mixed-race heritage. Joining her are Camily and Izabella, hailing from Brazil's most marginalized regions. Camily, a native of Bahia state, lives in an under-resourced small town on the coast; Izabella, from Pará, lives in the state’s capital, being very close to the Amazon and close ties to indigenous communities. Rounding out our team is Isabelly, a black woman from São Paulo, whose experiences contribute to our understanding of urban dynamics and economic disparities.

Beyond our diverse backgrounds, Colorar is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued and supported, prioritizing open dialogue about diversity and bias. By doing that, it becomes clear that the diversity has only had positive outcomes on Colorar's team dynamics, creativity, and overall success. 

Looking ahead, Colorar aims to further enhance our diversity by continuing to prioritize the recruitment of women from underrepresented backgrounds. We plan to expand our outreach efforts to marginalized communities, collaborate with diversity-focused organizations, and implement inclusive hiring practices to ensure that our team reflects the true Brazilian society.

The impact of our diversity is evident in our team dynamics and the innovative solutions we develop. By embracing diverse perspectives, we not only enrich our organization but also better serve the diverse women we aim to empower. As we continue on our journey, we remain steadfast in our commitment to creating a workplace where all members are welcomed, respected, and valued.

Colorar is deeply committed to making a significant impact on the lives of women who are grappling with domestic violence, abuse, or gender-based violence. Our focus extends to both measurable impact and innovation, with women being the primary beneficiaries and key customers of our project.

At the heart of our initiative lies the Colorar app, meticulously crafted to offer a comprehensive range of services and resources. This versatile platform, easily accessible via mobile devices, provides avenues for sharing experiences, receiving emotional support, accessing educational content related to women's rights and legislation, connecting with professionals like psychologists and attorneys workers for virtual support, ensuring safety, and facilitating entrepreneurship for women-led businesses through our Marketplace.

To analyze the strategy's performance and measure the impact of actions, some metrics are essential to observe the strategies' effectiveness and identify improvement opportunities. These include the number of application downloads and its retention rates, the number of reports made through the application, the number of shares of successful victim reports, engagement (likes, shares, comments), the evaluation of application users in terms of usability, security, and confidentiality, conversion rates of users who have become sellers or buyers, and financial metrics to track revenue, transaction volume, average order value on the marketplace.

Thus, the action plan will be regularly monitored and adjusted by the Colorar team based on the success metrics and feedback from application users to optimize its effectiveness over time, which in turn, generates a sustainable revenue stream to support ongoing app development and maintenance. 

We measure a significant increase in reported cases of violence against women, thanks to our discreet reporting mechanism that encourages more victims to come forward. User engagement across the platform is significantly heightened, showcasing the tangible impact of our services. Our safety features offer an added layer of security, particularly in precarious situations, ensuring the safety of women using the app.

Colorar empowers women by providing knowledge about their rights, fostering personal growth, and enhancing self-esteem. Additionally, we actively work to reduce the stigma associated with domestic violence, empowering women to confront their experiences with courage and a newfound sense of empowerment.

As we move forward, Colorar aspires to be recognized as a trusted source, celebrated for our innovative approach in providing support, information, and business opportunities to women. Our ultimate objective is to bring about a transformative and positive change in the lives of women, not only in terms of measurable impact but also in the deeply personal aspects of empowerment, safety, and personal growth.

Our plan to ensure the financial sustainability of Colorar is based on a diversified and continuous revenue stream, while always maintaining our commitment to supporting and empowering women.

Storefront for Shops and Small Entrepreneurs: Colorar provides a space where companies and small entrepreneurs can showcase their products and/or services.  Colorar retains 10% profit on each sale made on the app. In addition, entrepreneurs can also pay a fee to have their products highlighted at the top of in-marketplace searches. Furthermore, our collaborations with companies that offer women's products, such as sustainable sanitary pad manufacturers, create revenue through partnerships and affordable in-app product sales.

Advertising: The app includes advertising spaces, allowing companies to promote their products or services directly to users. This generates revenue through advertising agreements and ad clicks.

Grants/Donations/Capital/Awards: Colorar will actively seek grants and donations from organizations, government agencies and foundations that share its mission to support women who are victims of violence; raise capital; and participate in hackathons or competitions that have financial awards. UN Women Brazil and  Elas Social Fund are examples of organizations that share the same mission as Colorar to help and empower women. These grants. awards, capital, and donations can help fund the app's operations. 

Following the revenue’s channels, we have won the Technovation Challenge, the largest techpreneur competition worldwide, gathering U$3,000 in funding. We also have brought attention from UNICEF USA, initiating an early-stage partnership. Currently, we are in the process of contacting angel investors with Rede Mulher Empreendedora, a Brazilian institution that offers mentorship and financial programs for women starting an entrepreneur career. 

Based on that, Colorar aims to establish a solid and diversified revenue stream that can support our mission of promoting gender equality, economic independence, health, well-being and combating domestic violence. As Colorar grows and expands its goals, we seek to keep our services accessible to those who need them most. This is critical to fulfilling our mission of supporting women, especially those in vulnerable situations.