Can technology keep women safe?

KAKALI DAS

“Let me know once you reach home safely.” “I’m following your cab ride to make sure everything’s okay.” “Can you share your location on WhatsApp for peace of mind?” “Do you have pepper spray with you?”

If you’re a woman, you might recognize these phrases. They are handed down from one woman to another, like a cherished heirloom.

Safety may be a fundamental right, but for women, it often feels like a luxury. They are vulnerable at home, in the workplace, and especially on the streets.

Consider this data from India’s national capital: 95% of women and girls report feeling unsafe in public spaces.

Here’s another report that covers the entire country: 90% of women feel unsafe while travelling, 66% have experienced street harassment, 44% have been catcalled, and 29% have been followed by men. This is a painful reality that women confront every day.

So how can we improve this situation? Where society and laws have fallen short, can technology step in? Can it ensure the safety of women?

In today’s world, technology is often a convenience and sometimes even a distraction. However, for women, it can be a powerful tool. For instance, the app WalkSafe, launched in the UK in 2021, has been a significant success since its introduction.

The app features a live map that allows your friends and family to track your location and even chat with you. But the key differentiator is that it provides the safest route home by analysing recent crime data.

India has something similar called Safetipin. This app provides the safest route options, and if you choose a risky path, your contacts are notified immediately. It also allows users to rate areas based on safety, lighting, and crowd levels, empowering women to make informed decisions about their surroundings. With real-time updates and location tracking, it offers an additional layer of security for women navigating public spaces.

But what if you can’t access your phone? That’s where wearable gadgets come in. You have smart rings, smart jewellery, smartwatches, and SOS buttons, all designed to send out discreet signals with just a press of a button. These devices are equipped with GPS tracking, can alert emergency contacts, and some even trigger an alarm or record audio for added safety. They’re a crucial lifeline in situations where using a phone isn’t possible, offering women quick, silent ways to call for help.

Cab services are also enhancing safety features. Companies like OLA and UBER have integrated SOS buttons, real-time GPS tracking, trip sharing, and background checks for drivers. While these measures haven’t completely eliminated crimes against women, they provide an additional layer of security. Features such as driver ratings, emergency alerts, and ride verification help ensure safer travel experiences and allow for quicker response in emergencies.

These innovations contribute to making transportation a bit safer, though continuous improvements are needed to address ongoing safety concerns.

And it’s not just private companies; governments are stepping up as well. They have introduced SOS mobile apps, panic buttons on state transport vehicles, and smart surveillance systems. These measures aim to enhance public safety and provide quicker assistance in emergencies, reflecting a broader commitment to addressing safety concerns in public spaces.

Consider the state of Telangana, which has introduced T-Safe, India’s first ride monitoring service. You simply dial 100 or 112 to request monitoring, receive an automated link, and then the police begin tracking your journey. This service offers an added layer of security, ensuring that authorities are aware of your whereabouts during the ride.

The women’s safety software market is currently valued at $2 billion and is projected to reach $3.5 billion by 2031. While this growth indicates increasing attention to safety, it also reflects the ongoing need for such measures. Unfortunately, this growth reveals the reality of the world we live in.

States and countries are also employing algorithms and analytics to enhance safety. They analyse data to predict crime hotspots, allowing for targeted monitoring and intervention in these areas. This approach helps in proactively addressing potential threats and improving overall public safety.

But here’s the issue—on paper, all these features sound impressive: AI guiding you along safe routes, a panic button for night-time runs, apps tracking your movements. It’s like having an invisible shield.

But how reliable is this tool? For example, in Spain, there’s a domestic violence algorithm. If you’ve been abused by a partner and go to the police station, you’ll answer a series of questions. An algorithm then analyses your responses, and based on that analysis, you may or may not receive protection.

In the case of a 32-year-old woman, the algorithm determined that she didn’t need protection. However, just seven weeks later, her abusive husband stabbed her, resulting in her immediate death. This highlights how technology can sometimes make critical errors, with dire consequences – this instance was a matter of life and death.

Moreover, technology serves as a reminder that the responsibility still falls on women. They must navigate with caution, exercise vigilance, and remain constantly alert to avoid danger. This expectation is both unfair and unacceptable, and above all, it’s exhausting to always be preoccupied with thoughts of safety.

This is why we say that technology can only serve as a crutch, not a solution. It can assist, but it cannot address the root cause of why women are unsafe in the first place. To achieve that, we need a societal shift—a collective reckoning to ensure that safety is not just a privilege for women, but a fundamental right.

“What do they say?” Vs “What is the reality?”

They say “home is your safe space,” but according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), 29.3 percent of married Indian women aged 18 to 49 experience domestic violence.
They say “work will empower you,” yet over 400 cases of sexual harassment at work have been reported each year since 2018.
They say “travel will make you feel better,” yet a woman from Goa was raped by ragpickers while waiting at a bus stand in Delhi.
They say, “Go to the police; they’ll help,” yet an Indian police officer was accused of raping a 13-year-old girl who went to his station to report that she had been gang-raped.

Nowhere Is Safe, Until Everywhere Is Safe

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