Offline First - Getting women safe in India
An offline-first safety app that uses gestures and Bluetooth to silently broadcast distress signals — even without internet.
Designed for crisis zones and urban emergencies where 67% of women report feeling unsafe and disconnected.
Problem Statement
How can we design a discreet, reliable digital tool that works without internet access, provides critical support, and keeps women in crisis situations safe, especially when access to tech might put them at greater risk?
Solution
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A discreet app (with a alternative skin ) to send messages without cellular or internet connectivity.
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Ability to store pre-typed messages to send in one click during times of emergency and crisis.
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Gesture based SOS signals
Use Cases
Abusive Homes
Times of distress
Uncontrolled Crowded gatherings
| Statistics reveal that 45% of Indian women are slapped, kicked or beaten by their husbands. ( ICRW 2002) . 32% had committed acts of violence against their pregnant wives. Every 60 minutes a woman dies in India due to domestic violence.
Women face constant threats in public spaces, especially during chaotic events like festivals or in conflict zones. Domestic violence remains widespread globally, with survivors often lacking safe, discreet ways to seek help. UN data shows a rise in conflict-related sexual violence and increased female casualties in armed conflicts. Displacement and attacks on healthcare systems further worsen conditions for women and girls. Overall, women remain disproportionately affected by violence, insecurity, and lack of access to essential services.
Women's safety in India is a multifaceted issue with both legal frameworks and ongoing challenges. While India has enacted laws like the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, reports indicate a high prevalence of crimes against women.
Offline First - Getting women safe in India
Primary research consisted of user survey with various demographics of people, not just women, from all over the country. The following responses structured the features of the application
User Persona & Stories
EDGE CASES BASED ON RESEARCH
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The user’s battery is at 2% and she cannot unlock the screen
A long press on both volume buttons silently triggers SOS and sends a pre-typed alert via Bluetooth
The user send an SOS message. Emergency contact tries to get in touch with her.
The app mutes all incoming calls, notifications, and vibrations.
Trusted contacts are shown a message like:
“Akshaya may be in a sensitive situation. Please do not call or text. She will confirm when it’s safe.”
The user accidentally triggers the SOS
A false alert could lead to unintended consequences or fear
A 3-second haptic countdown allows for cancellation using a reverse gesture (swipe-back or tap cancel)
No one nearby has the app installed
Bluetooth peer-to-peer cannot deliver the message
SOS gets stored locally and transmits automatically when a device with the app enters range
User is being watched or followed
Any strange behavior on the phone can raise suspicion
All triggers happen silently via gestures. The app skin is of a calculator.
Competitive Analysis
Bridgefy
Largely used by users during festivals, concerts and times of disaster
Pros - Can get in contact with anyone within the range of BT, whoever has the app to seek help.
Cons - Not reliant during times of distress because we don’t know who is receiving the messages. BT will significantly reduce the battery charge of the device.
Kavalan SOS
SOS app exclusively for Tamilnadu launched by TN Police Dept
Pros - It allows users to alert the police and share their location, along with a video recording, when they feel threatened or in danger
Cons - You need an active internet connection for the Kavalan app to function properly. The app relies on the internet to transmit alerts, send location data, and access various features like the police station locator. Without internet connectivity, the app's emergency features, including SOS alerts and video recording, will not work.
User Flow
Feature Audit
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App is available in local languages for users of all linguistic abilities to use.
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Send SOS to all 3 emergency contacts with a message that asks the responder not to reply or call back as the user might be under threat and to wait for 30 mins before trying to contact her or alert authorities.
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Send broadcast messages via bluetooth to users within range if the user is out of network coverage.
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Gesture based actions for quick and discreet communication.
Why these design choices were made
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Intentionally minimal and no fluff UI for quick actions during states of urgencies and emergencies
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Calculator skin similar to system UI for the app to remain inconspicuous.
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Deliberate placement of gestures and shortcuts in the thumb zones so it can be reached without looking at the screen.
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App largely communicates via vibration to keep the victim safe and discreet.
What Next?
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One on one message via BT can be enabled.
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Connect with authorities to be able to send SOS to Police Control Room via the app.
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Set up custom gestures so the attacker cannot access user’s app even if he is familiar with it.
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Custom skins.