Potential Impact
If the app reaches just 1% of survivors in India, it can revolutionize critical support access.
2.8 Million
Survivors could access vital support
600 NGOs
can extend potential reach
In India, domestic violence is often shrouded in silence, justified by deep-rooted cultural norms, and perpetuated by a lack of awareness. This social stigma prevents survivors from seeking help, leaving them vulnerable and unsupported.
Less than
40%
Survivors seek
any form of help.
Up to
1 in 4
Men report any form
of domestic violence.
At least
1 in 3
Women experience
domestic violence.
The Goal
"How can we create safe, accessible solution to empower domestic violence survivors to seek support?"
My Role
Research, user experience design and UI design (self-initiated project).
Duration
Mar 2022 - Apr 2022
SOLUTION
Avaaz // Voice
to Survivors
An application that aims to lend support to domestic violence survivors, prioritising survivor needs and focuses on creating a safe and empowering space.
App is voice-protected to unlock only with survivor's voice.
Pre-set emergency phrase alerts trusted contacts or services.
Fake screen mimics a voice recording app for protection.
Simplified information with familiar formats to reduce cognitive load.
Creating legal awareness with clear, easy to digest information.
Nearby NGOs with key details like operating hours and days.
My Inspiration
Behind the Screens
I was moved to work on this project because this is not a story of a few, but millions across the world. When I was starting my journey as a designer, I had the freedom to choose and I decided to choose this.
Understanding the Problem
Number of interviews: 4
Number of survey participants: 68
To design a solution that empowers domestic violence survivors, I began by listening to their stories. I interviewed survivors, experts, and nonprofits to uncover their core goals, challenges, and needs.
Analysis
After gathering insights from interviews and surveys, I analyzed the data to uncover common themes and challenges.
Key Takeaways
1
Financial Dependence
Financial dependence makes it difficult for survivors to get out of abusive situations.
2
Lack of Awareness
Survivors do not have always have clarity on their situations or their legal rights.
3
Immediate Action
In case of emergency of life threatening situations, the window to act in is short and sensitive.
4
Lack of Privacy
Abusive households usually suffer with lack of privacy for survivor.
Information Architecture
Avaaz is designed to be simple and user-friendly for those in distress. Key features, such as a voice-activated SOS, are placed at the forefront for immediate access.
Wireframes
Working on Avaaz in 2022 was a pivotal moment in my early UX journey. I was determined to apply everything I had learned by incorporating a wide range of features based on the insights from my research. However, as I tested Version 1.0 with users, it became clear that trying to solve every problem at once only added confusion. I went back to craft 2.0 with an important lesson: the value of simplicity and the importance of prioritizing key elements over overwhelming the user. It reshaped my approach, reminding me that a refined, clear solution often creates a better user experience than one overloaded with features.
