Women safety and technology: analysis of women distress helpline for efficient technological intervention

Abstract

181 women distress helpline provides immediate assistance to women in distress and helps them overcome emotional and bureaucratic challenges. In this work, we present the detailed understa ndings of our qualitative and quantitative studies conducted at a women distress helpline operational in Delhi, India. We perceive the helpline as a non-pro t alliance which re- quires productive cooperation of callers, stakeholders, state government and other organizations for its success. The study ampli es our under- standing of the helpline and presents an exhaustive outline of the technological practices in the present ecosystem of the helpline. Our analysis revealed numerous technological gaps in 3 vital areas: inter-organization collaboration, follow ups and preventing abandoned calls. The identied gaps can be filled by designing technological interventions keeping in mind the unique constraints of the helpline. These interventions can result in more e fficient and e ffective use of the helpline. However, our understandings are speci fic to the helpline under study, more case studies are required to gain generic understanding of such helplines.