Women around the world fear and experience public harassment daily, and that harassment can take many forms, from unwelcome remarks to physical violence. This fear limits women’s freedom to travel and feel comfortable in public spaces.
Fortunately, organizations such as the United Nations are working towards solutions for these issues. And one free app, called SafeUP, is offering an especially practical solution. Here’s what you can do with the SafeUP app on your smartphone.
What Is SafeUP?
SafeUP is a personal safety app for women and girls that offers 24/7 real-time assistance to users. It’s a revolutionary product developed by a community safety network to enable women everywhere to feel safe and empowered as they go about their daily lives.
Active in dozens of countries around the world, SafeUP is the largest global provider of women’s safety. SafeUP is also a completely free app. When you open it for the first time, you’ll have to provide your name and age and undergo a video verification check to validate your identity. It's a simple process to access the app’s features and, once your profile is activated, you can explore all of what SafeUP offers.
Download: SafeUP for iOS | Android (Free)
How Does SafeUP Work?
SafeUp's main screen shows your live location on a map as long as you have enabled location tracking on your phone. You can instantly see nearby guardians, who are shown with a dark purple shield. You’ll also see fellow SafeUP members, denoted by a light purple flag.
At the foot of the main screen are pictures of the nearest guardians, with an option to call them. If you feel unsafe at any time, just tap the Call Guardians button. You can choose to make either a video or audio call. The guardians will support you and remain on the call until you reach your destination and feel safe again. Of course, you should also contact the police if you are in immediate danger. If you think you're being followed using someone else's AirTag, read this advice on what to do about unauthorized AirTag tracking.
Who Are SafeUP Call Guardians?
"Guardians" is the term SafeUP gives to community members who have undergone training to enable them to help others when alerted. You undertake this training via the app, and it’s open to all members willing to take on the role. The training program only takes about 15 minutes. Once you have completed it, you get a certificate to show you have qualified, and you are marked as a Guardian within the app.
How Else Is SafeUP Supporting Women’s Safety?
SafeUP is creating a network of safe places worldwide where women can go if feeling unsafe when in public. Businesses volunteer to sign up for the SafeUP SafePlace scheme, and owners and staff receive training and advice.
They are encouraged to display a Safe Place window sticker to show their support for the scheme, and their locations are highlighted with the app so that users can easily find safe places.
A Global Solidarity Network Empowering Women
No matter where you read this, you will benefit from having SafeUP in your community. This unique venture is building an impressive network of women supporting women to create a safer world. It’s one of many ways technology can be used positively to empower and protect people.