Three Albanian 16-year-old girls have developed an app to help victims of domestic violence access support, hoping to tackle a huge problem in Albania, where one in two women suffered abuse last year, according to a survey. This year’s competition required participants to build an app that tackled social problems, so the girls decided to focus on gender-based violence. Users answer a series of questions which helps them identify if they are victims of domestic violence, and the app offers them testimonies from women who have escaped abuse and encouragement to report it. The scope of the app is huge — it provides breathing exercises to help women, connects them to state officials in every town who can help them secure restraining orders and access benefits. Women can download the app, and get in touch with the police and support groups by phone or instant messaging.

Source: The Hindu October 09, 2019 20:48 UTC