Safety Mobile App for Women and Children

Mobile Standards Alliance of India (MSAI) teamed up with Nirbhaya Jyoti Trust to enhance the safety of women and children of India. The I Feel Safe TM Safety Ka Power Button SM mobile app was launched by Smt. Asha Devi, mother of 'Nirbhaya' at a well attended ceremony held today at Delhi University's North Campus Convention Centre. Dr. Kiran Agarwal, Paediatrician and Child Rights Activist; Dr. Manu Kataria, Associate Professor, Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi; Ms. Leher Sethi, Social Activist; Mr. Badri Singh, father of 'Nirbhaya' , and Mr. Shriniwas, National Joint Organising Secretary, ABVP also graced the occasion to lend their voice to pressing issues of women's safety and security.

Speaking on the occasion, mother of 'Nirbhaya', Smt. Asha Devi said , " I greatly appreciate the support and motivation that the youth of this country and leaders like Shri Harsh Vardhan and other dignitaries have given to Nirbhaya Jyoti Trust and the cause of Indian women in the last nearly four years. It is my fervent wish that every girl should be able to live a wholesome life and step out of home without the fear of molestation and violence. I am happy that MSAI have developed the 'I Feel Safe' mobile app for this purpose".

" For centuries, women in India have suffered social strictures and abuse. It is important to change societal mindsets so that every girl of our country receives the respect which is her due and shines in life in her chosen field be it science, engineering, medicine, sports, dance, music or any other field of human endeavour ," conveyed Shri Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Science and Technology, Government of India in his message.

The "I Feel Safe" mobile app, powered by Nirbhaya Jyoti Trust , is a personal safety application for smartphone users. 'I Feel Safe' instantly adds a virtual panic button. Mobile phone owners can simply press the " Safety Ka Power Button" five times to activate an alarm. The app does not need to be invoked for the safety alarm feature to work. In fact, it works even if the screen of the phone is locked, the SIM card has been removed, no Wi-Fi networks are available and without the need to subscribe to a data plan. The app works across India on all mobile networks and sends near real-time updates about the location of the mobile user.

In the event of an emergency, I Feel Safe TM notifies the user's emergency contacts with the longitude and latitude of their current location. It places an automatic call to the national emergency number 100 and the location of the potential victim is tracked every 30 seconds and made available to their emergency contacts, as well as the I Feel Safe TM emergency call centre team, who then reach out to provide support, to overcome the emergency situation. " I compliment MSAI and Nirbhaya Jyoti Trust for taking the initiative to develop this app. It will not only create a safe environment for women but, it should also help to bring into focus key socio-economic issues impacting the women of India - quality healthcare, education and equal employment opportunities. Delhi Police will extend all possible support in this movement to empower the nation's women ," stated Shri Robin Hibu, IPS, Joint Commissioner of Police, Delhi " .

The I Feel Safe TM mobile app addresses the growing need in the country to ensure better personal safety of women and girls if they are threatened with physical abuse or assault. This personal safety solution can also be availed by senior citizens, and anyone who senses a threat to his or her personal safety ," stated Ms. Bhawna Kumari, Business Head, MSAI . " This personal safety power button empowers women by giving them access to a reliable safety tool at all times. Women can avail 24 x 7 service and ensure safety for themselves and their loved ones. There is no charge for using the I Feel Safe TM mobile app ," Bhawna concluded .

The dedication ceremony was also attended by representatives from leading women's organisations and many young female students.