Scientists have developed an app that will make it easier for people to report abusive relationships. According to the developer, the MyPlan app will be released in African Countries some time next year. It is already being used by 10,000 people in the United States.
Nancy Glass is a professor who is the head of the MyPlan Project. She stated that many people who have used the app have given it positive feedback. She also stated that she has worked with girls and women in Africa who have been abused. She said that reporting the abuse has always been a challenge.
According to the World Health Organization, 30 percent of women are physically or sexually-abused by a romantic partner. A person can be abused for years without knowing it because many people are afraid to speak out. This often leads to death. It is estimated that 38 percent of female murders are committed by a male partner.
There are a number of other apps that help women report abuse. However, most of these apps focus on reporting an emergency. Nancy Glass stated that the purpose of MyPlan is to help women learn about healthy relationships and recognize the signs of an abusive one.
Women are asked if their partner has threatened physical violence against them. They are also asked if their partner has become more abusive over the past year. The app will give each user a personalizes safety plan. They will be connected with shelters, counselors and other resources that can help them. They can report abuse without fear of being stigmatized.
Kenya has one of the highest domestic abuse rates in the world. Forty percent of the women in this country has been abused by a partner. Women need to be connected to their extended family because they can help end the abuse. Nancy stated that they are still testing the app to make sure that it will benefit the women and community before they release it to the public.
Dil Bole Oberoi
