16 Days of Activism: 5 Safety Apps To The Rescue

The 16 Days of Activism campaign kicks off today (25 November) with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Within the next 16 days, three other campaigns will be running world-wide tackling issues around human rights, violence against women and children as well as HIV/Aids.

According to the latest statistics, by 2017, 5 Billion people will be using mobile phones all over the world. Part of the conversation around women and children’s rights this year is how technology can help combat situations that put people’s lives in danger. We decided to round-up our top 5 innovative apps that have been designed to combat abusive situations worldwide.

5. Bull Horns South African App

Bull Horns first burst into the spotlight in South Africa in 2014. Made by App Developer Studio, the Bull Horns app allows a panic button to be added to a user’s smartphone. It allows the user to dial their security company or the police automatically in an emergency situation. The app is available on both Android and Apple smartphones and is free to download and use. It allows up to five private contacts (preferably who live close by) to be notified in case of emergency.
Download it here.

4. Watch Over Me App

Women and children are the most targeted victims of abuse and rape not only when they are in dangerous places. Watch Over Me App allows your contacts to follow your journey. You can specify how long you want it to track your GPS location until you reach your destination. The best thing about the app is that if you are in a dangerous situation, you can shake your phone to trigger an emergency alert and your phone camera will automatically turn on and start recording. The app also tells you when you’ve entered a high crime rate area.
Download it here.

3. Life360 Family Locator App

Human trafficking and abductions of women and children are still a major concern in our societies. This is why apps like Life360 are essential to protecting your love ones. This multipurpose app helps you stay in touch with family and friends and keep a handle on their location. It let’s you create circles, add people and see their locations on a confidentiality map. You can also share your location with your family or friends or anyone in your circle. You can also chat with your circle members for free and the bonus is that it can also be used to recover your lost or stolen phone.
Download it here.

2. Women Safety Shield App

Many women who have reported an abuse to the police realise when it’s too late that they should’ve taken pictures of the evidence of abuse. This app allows the user to take pictures (as evidence) and quickly send the info, your current location to your pre-determined emergency contact. This way, action can be taken immediately. There is also a Walk With Me function that allows your contacts to track your whereabouts and provides a list of police stations and hospitals near you. The only problem is that it is yet to be made available in South Africa.
Download it here.

1. Project Namola App

Project Namola was launched earlier this year and aims to provide an Uber-like service for security in the Monument Park area of the City of Tshwane. The app works by using the geo-location of subscribers who need emergency help. By simply pressing a button, a notification is sent to Metro Police members who will respond. Project Namola might only be available in Tshwane at the moment but it definitely hints at the possibility of app technology being utilised elsewhere around the country and putting to practise cooperation between communities and police.
Download it here.

Here are some important national numbers to contact to report abuse:

• Childline- Report child abuse
  0800 055 555
• Human Trafficking
  08000 737 283 (08000 rescue) / 082 455 3664
• Family and Marriage Society of South Africa – Advice on family relationships
  011 975 7107