Gujarat launches new Mobile App for women safety

In a bid to provide effective emergency help to women in distress across the state, Gujarat government on Monday launched a new Mobile Application ‘181 Abhayam’.

Once the App is downloaded, the women can press the panic button or shake their mobile vigorously to send out a distress signal, alerting the nearest police station and up to five people known to woman automatically. Snaps taken on the spot can serve as evidence, too.

The App, launched by state Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, is an extension of the 24x7 181 Abhayam Mahila Helpline that was launched by the state government earlier on February 4, 2014, by Gujarat Government in collaboration with GVK EMRI. It is now equipped with 45 rescue vans, each manned by trained counsellor and female cops who remain in constant touch with the victim on the phone while rushing to the spot. The App could also be used for reporting any case of domestic violence.

The 181 application has so far reached out to 4,05,602 women who have sought help and counselling, while rescue vans have been summoned by 82,353 women and helped settle 50,925 cases on-the-spot, referring 24,203 serious cases to police stations, shelter homes, NGOs, protection officers and free legal help.

The application developed by the state government’s Women & Child Development Department and GVK EMRI also helps keep the name of complainant anonymous.