Women’s Safety Apps: A Lifeline For Women In Need

Are women safe? 

Are women independent? 

Abhaya! This year’s tragic and horrific case of rape and murder of a young doctor in Kolkata has inflamed a significant public outcry. This incident, which took place at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, has highlighted persistent issues in women’s safety in India, even in professional environments. In the incident’s aftermath, the government has announced several necessary measures aimed at improving women’s safety. These include the development of a downloadable mobile app with an alarm, improved ratio of male-to-female security staff at workplaces and night patrolling in medical colleges, hospitals and women’s hostels.

Following the year 2012 gangrape of “Nirbhaya” on a moving bus in New Delhi, the then Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government enacted some laws on sexual violence, including the death penalty for extreme cases of sexual assault. In 2022, 31,516 cases of rape were reported, which is an average of 86 rape cases per day.

But how can we go about our daily lives if we are always worried about our safety? Pepper spray and self-defence lessons are viable choices, but are they enough? 

To answer all these questions government has taken the initiative and launched women’s safety applications to make women feel safe anywhere. 

Here are the eight best Safety apps for the security of women. 

1. 112 India

The Central Government of India has introduced 112 India, an all-in-one women’s safety app that can be used to issue an SOS alert with only a single tap in any situation. The service is available on both Android and iOS devices in 23 states and Union Territories. To use this app, users must first register, and it is simple to use, the primary goal is to offer women in trouble a single number to call in an emergency. 112 India is one of the best safety apps available right now.

Key Features

• An audio/visual media to deliver the emergency alarm.
• This application you can use it anytime.
• Integrates with existing emergency services with ease.
• Additionally, it also aids in the investigation of the events.

2. My Safetipin

My Safetipin is another of the best safety apps for women’s security. This application employs data mapping techniques to help women feel secure in public places, its goal is to make cities safer by making data available to consumers via technological tools and applications. Lighting, openness, security guards, pathways, public transportation, gender usage, and emotion are the nine characteristics that determine safety in a given region. 

Key Features

• If you choose the wrong path, your loved ones will be alerted.
• It allows you to determine the safest path.
• If you enter the area with a poor safety score, it will notify your family.
• It allows you to see neighbouring hospitals, stores, and other amenities.

3. bSafe

Next in the category of the best safety apps is the bSafe. Women’s safety and security are ensured through the bSafe app. It both prevents crimes such as violence, sexual assaults, and rape and provides proof of situations that have already occurred. Voice activation, live streaming, audio/video recording, false call, and follow me, together with location and tracking, ensure that women are always safe. It’s available on both the iOS and Android app stores.

Key Features

• It allows you to send an SOS signal with a single push of the button.
• You may use it to capture and broadcast emergency footage.
• It delivers live locations to your loved ones.
• You can also make phone calls to get yourself out of a bad position.

4. Smart 24×7

This is the best safety app for women that stands out from the crowd. It’s a one-of-a-kind software that allows a person in distress to communicate with loved ones while also receiving quick support from a 24-hour customer service centre.

Key Features

• It’s accessible on both the Apple and Android app stores.
• Can send emergency alerts to relatives and friends along with contacting neighbouring fire, police, and ambulance services.
• When the user taps the PANIC button, messages will be sent to up to 5 main contacts, regardless of their phone model.
• SMS will be delivered to them if GPRS is not available.
• The Smart 24×7 Customer Care Centre will also call the user right away.

5. Shake2Safety

Shake2Safety is again one of the best women’s safety apps in India. This app has a very user-friendly interface and can be used in case of an accident, harassment, robbery or any natural calamities. Just by shaking the phone or even pressing the power button four times the app will send an SOS text or call to the registered numbers. Furthermore, you don’t need an internet connection to use this app. Also, the app works with a locked screen too.

Key Features

• Can be used on both Android and iOS
• Works even without an internet connection or with a locked screen
• Simply, press the power button four times to send an SOS text to the registered numbers.

6. Himmat

This app has been launched by the Delhi police, especially for women who travel late at night, user needs to register themselves on the Delhi police website, after which an OTP will be sent to complete the authentication process. This is done just one time.

Once the registration is completed, the app can be used to send an SOS alert to the registered numbers and one alert with audio & video transmission is even sent to the police control room.

Key Features

• Launched by the Delhi police
• Sends SOS to friends, and relatives and audio & video transmission to the police control room

7. I’m Safe

If you are looking for a women’s safety app that’s user-friendly, reliable, and secure, this easy-to-use app is designed to keep women safe at all times, with features that can be used daily or during life-threatening situations. Moreover, it comes with a Track Me feature that provides added safety and security when you are on a morning walk or during your everyday commute, allows your loved ones to keep tabs on your whereabouts and ensures that you can quickly receive help if needed.

Key Features

• Easy to use
• Track Me feature

8. Women Safety

Women Safety is one of the best apps available in the market which focuses on the safety of women to decrease the crime rate against women and increase their safety, updates you instantly if your loved ones are in an emergency or need any kind of help. Women’s Safety app is one of the fastest yet easiest ways to update your information and other details of your loved ones.

You just have to tap a button and the email is sent to your loved ones along with your location in the Google map, also captures the images from the front camera and the back camera as well. These images can be accessed via a link which is sent through the mail.

Key Features

• It captures the images, videos and audio at the time of emergency.
• The app is configured with 3 buttons, based on the situation you can take the action and an alert will be sent to your loved ones.
• The images, videos and audio taken are sent through the mail to your dear ones.
• It lets you update your location to your loved ones with just tap of a button.

The Importance of Women’s Safety Apps

These apps are more than just tools; they are lifelines for women in need. They empower users with the ability to take control of their safety, offering peace of mind in situations, as awareness and adoption of these apps increase, they play a crucial role in promoting a culture of safety and vigilance, helping to prevent incidents before they occur.

While these apps are invaluable, it’s important to remember that they are just one part of a broader strategy for personal safety. Staying aware of one’s surroundings, trusting instincts, and having a plan in place are equally important. However, in moments of crisis, having a safety app on hand can make all the difference.