Researched And Written by Saloni Kadam
The Rising Concern of Women’s Safety in India
Our grandfathers heard that India is a developing nation, and so will our grandchildren. But what kind of development are we achieving if half our population feels unsafe?
Women’s safety has become a pressing issue in India, raising concerns across all sections of society. Often, women are advised to limit their activities or movements to avoid harassment. Many families discourage women from working late or stepping out at night due to safety concerns, irrespective of the generation or culture.
India is a society rooted in stories of respect and honour for women—Lord Rama fought Ravana for Maa Sita, and the Mahabharata unfolded due to the disrespect shown to a woman. Yet, in this same society, under the guise of modernity and development, women often feel unsafe and undervalued.
But why is it unsafe? Wouldn’t it be better to teach our sons to respect women and treat them with dignity?
Alarming Incidents Highlighting the Issue
In the past few months, incidents such as the rape of a doctor in Kolkata and the assault of two young girls in Badlapur have brought attention to the harsh reality of women’s safety in India. These events underline the urgent need for solutions to make our society safer. But our society sees this concern as the nearest event that would happen! Where do 2 astute brains start debating women’s empowerment versus gender equality?
When so-called comedians and influencers talk trash in the name of dark humour people start appraising it as a this is a good thing. Sometimes society becomes so weird that can’t even differentiate between what is wrong and right.
This issue became clear as we saw some statistics getting more horrible year after year.
Few Statistics on Women’s Safety
According to the 2021 annual report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 31,677 rape cases were registered across the country, or an average of 86 cases daily, a rise from 2020 with 28,046 cases, while in 2019, 32,033 cases were registered. Of the total 31,677 rape cases, 28,147 (nearly 89%) of the rapes were committed by persons known to the victim.The share of victims who were minors or below 18 – the legal age of consent – stood at 10%.
The Role of Technology in Women’s Safety
One promising solution is the development of user-friendly safety apps for women. These apps, when paired with wearables like smart rings or watches, can provide immediate assistance and a sense of security.
Features of an Ideal Women’s Safety App
- SOS Alerts: Quick notifications sent to family or authorities in emergencies.
- GPS Location Tracking: Real-time updates on the user’s location.
- Health Monitoring: Alerts in case of extreme health conditions.
- Cloud Storage: Secure storage of critical data for easy access when needed.
Case Study: The My Safetipin App
Safetipin, launched in 2013, is a notable example of a women’s safety app.This app is created by Kalpana Viswanath and Ashish Basu. This app emerged in response to increasing concerns about women’s safety following the 2012 gang rape case in Delhi. Safetipin is a social organization working to make cities safer and more inclusive for women. They are partner with governments and other stakeholders, using data collected through our three mobile apps—My Safetipin, Safetipin Nite, and Safetipin Site. This data is analyzed to provide safety recommendations and generate safety scores, helping users make informed decisions about their mobility.
How Safetipin Works
Safety Audits: Users can assess and report safety issues like poor lighting, broken footpaths, or unsafe areas.Safety Scores: Areas are rated for safety, helping users plan safer routes.
Key Features of My Safetipin
- Safe Route Guidance: Identifies secure routes and public areas.
- Alerts for Unsafe Areas: Sends notifications to family members if the user enters a high-risk zone.
- Tracking and Support: Provides location-based tracking and assistance.
Other Innovative Women’s Safety Apps
Several apps have been designed to address women’s safety concerns.
Shake2Safety
This app allows users to report emergencies such as accidents or thefts by simply shaking their phones. It instantly shares the user’s location, audio recordings, and messages with selected contacts.
bSafe
bSafe offers live streaming and video recording features, allowing users to connect with family members in real-time during emergencies.
Challenges in Implementing Women’s Safety Apps
Privacy and Data Security
Some women may hesitate to share their location due to privacy concerns. To address this issue, apps must use encryption to ensure data security.
Internet Accessibility in Rural Areas
Limited internet access in remote areas can lack real time monitor or data alert sharing. Offline features or SMS-based alerts can overcome this challenge.
Battery Life of Wearables
Continuous tracking can drain device batteries. Optimization techniques can help minimize battery usage.
Avoiding False Alerts and Misuse
False alarms or misuse of apps can reduce their effectiveness. Verification processes and cancellation options can help mitigate this issue.
Key Features for a Reliable Women’s Safety App:
Biometric Integration
To prevent misuse, the app can ask for confidential information like addhar card number ,etc which can only be provided by owner.
Real-Time Location and Past Data Tracking
By utilizing Indian technologies like Google Maps, the app could create heat maps for specific areas. For example:
If a user notices irregular activity in any particular location, they can mark the area as unsafe (red mark). As more users mark the same location, it becomes a red zone on the heatmap.Thus,other women’s passing from their can take care or avoid such location.This information can also be shared with nearby police station,helpline centre,etc so they can have some strict actions on it.
Other users can then view these zones in real time and avoid those locations.
AI for Real-Time Threat Detection
Artificial intelligence can enhance safety apps by detecting real-time threats and alerting users.
Voice and Gesture Activation
Hands-free features like voice commands or gesture recognition can be game-changers in emergencies.
IoT Integration
Integrating safety apps with everyday devices through the Internet of Things (IoT) can make them more accessible and effective.
Conclusion: Empowering Women with Technology
Women’s safety is a societal priority requiring cultural change and technological innovation. Apps like My Safetipin, Shake2Safety, and bSafe empower women to navigate public spaces with confidence. By integrating advancements in AI, IoT, and offline connectivity, we can work towards a future where women’s safety is no longer a concern but a reality.
Together, we can create a world where every woman feels secure, no matter where she is.