These technologies assist in women’s protection but do not guarantee it.
“Message or call me once you reach home safely…!”
“I’ve shared my live location, please keep an eye on it!”
“Don’t worry, I’m tracking your taxi/cab!”
If you are a woman, you are certainly familiar with these phrases and what they mean.
The safety of life, property, and dignity is a basic human right, yet women still struggle to secure this fundamental right. Even today, women need the endorsement of laws and arguments to safeguard themselves. In cases of violence or abuse, women still rely more on media, social media, NGOs, and other organizations rather than the courts or legal systems for justice
In our society, women do not feel safe at home, at work, or on the streets. Globally, it is estimated that about 736 million women, or roughly one in three women, experience physical or sexual harassment or violence at least once in their lives. The most common form of violence against women worldwide is domestic violence; however, in some cases, the issue extends beyond interpersonal relationships to take on other forms.
In Pakistan, several laws have been introduced to curb violence against women, including the Domestic Violence Bill 2009, the Acid Crime Prevention Act 2010, and the Anti-Harassment Act of 2010. These laws aim to protect women from domestic violence, acid attacks, workplace harassment, and cultural discrimination, ensuring legal recourse.
Violence against women is one of the most severe human rights violations in Pakistan and around the world. Various forms of violence occur in private and public spaces, including domestic violence, sexual harassment, trafficking, assault, and honor killings. According to the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey, 22% of women aged 16 to 48 experience physical violence, 26% face emotional or psychological abuse, and 5% are victims of domestic or sexual violence from husbands or close relatives.
Over 90% of women in Pakistan do not feel safe in their local surroundings, and 66% of women traveling between different areas or cities report facing harassment on roads and other public spaces.
This painful reality is a daily struggle for women. However, amidst this dark truth, technology appears as a beacon of hope. In a world where women’s safety is not guaranteed, technology plays a supportive role.
To promote gender equality and safety, various safety apps have been introduced to protect Pakistani women from violence and ensure their safety. Digital jewelry and other tech devices are empowering women by providing tools that can help save their lives.
These safety apps feature live location sharing, route tracking, and other crucial information known as “safety pins.” These options help women choose safe routes, and in case of choosing a dangerous path, safety pins notify the contacts listed immediately.
However, one must consider what would happen if technology or these safety apps fail, or in situations where there is no phone signal, or the mobile network or app faces issues. Technology is not a solution to end crimes against women but a preventive measure. It has become an industry where not just governments but also private companies invest, introducing safety apps for women.
It is estimated that the market for women’s safety software will exceed $3 billion by 2031. Today, algorithms and data analytics are commonly used to predict crime hotspots and provide access to them.
The use of AI-based safety apps is a positive step for women, but if data analytics and algorithms do not function correctly or fail to update due to network issues, this very technology can become life-threatening.
It’s not necessary that technology and its effects are always positive for women. A slight miscalculation or network update delay can be fatal.
Moreover, these safety apps can also be misused by close relatives, friends, or colleagues to stalk and monitor women. Access to digital technology can also be used as an excuse to restrict women’s movement, which is why we can say that technology supports women’s safety but does not guarantee it.
Therefore, there is a need to identify and address the factors that make women feel unsafe. Why are incidents of abuse against girls and women reported every other day? Why is women’s safety not considered their right but instead seen as dependent on the presence of a man?
Technology indeed plays an essential role in protecting women from various forms of violence, but we also need societal change. We need to positively shape the mindset of society, ensuring that women’s safety is their right and not a favor.