Aegis - The Silver Thread
A solution to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
Aegis is a mobile application developed using React Native and Django Rest Framework, aimed to provide a safe space with centralized services for quick action in case of danger. The app is designed to empower women, girls and vulnerable communities by offering a tool for personal safety, quick communication, and access to resources and information.
Why Aegis? And Why The Silver Thread?
Aegis in ancient Greek mythology, was the shield of Athena, symbolizing protection and strength. In this spirit, the app is named to represent a shield for protection extended from one woman to another. Alongside with this idea, The Silver Thread draws from Norse mythology, where the Norns—goddesses of fate—are said to weave the destinies of the bravest warriors with a silver thread. With this app, I aspire to change the destinies of modern warriors by empowering them with the tools they need for safety and resilience.
What inspires me?
In Latin America, it’s common for women and girls to share their locations or send messages to trusted contacts as a precaution. This app builds on that practice by providing a reliable platform that strengthens personal safety, enables swift action, and fosters a supportive community. The goal is to shorten the response time in emergencies, prepare users for critical situations, and be a meaningful resource in moments of greatest need.
My decision to participate in this hackathon and contribute to the mission of eliminating violence against women and girls is also deeply personal. I was inspired by the tragic loss of my dear friend Katherine Tatiana Martínez, who was taken from us on November 6, 2023, in a senseless act of femicide. Her memory weighs heavily on my heart, and I often think of how we might have helped her or prevented that tragedy. This app is my attempt to create a way for others to stay safe and connected in times of need, with the hope that no other family or friend should have to endure such a loss.
What the application does
The app allows users to quickly register and log in using a secure 4-digit PIN, making access both simple and fast. In order to build a reliable and secure support network, the users can add, edit, or import contacts from their device, creating a trusted list of emergency contacts. In times of danger, the app’s silent panic alert feature discreetly sends real-time location information to the trusted contacts previously set. Ensuring more than one contact point with information about the exact location of the user with continuos updates, to act as quickly as possible in a dangerous situation. In case of immediate emergencies, a single tap enables users to call authorities like 911, providing an essential lifeline when seconds count. Additionally, offer the users access to critical safety information and resources, helping users stay informed and prepared. Lastly, with its intuitive, user-friendly design, the app ensures that all these features are accessible and easy to use, even in stressful situations.
How the app was built
The app was developed in a local environment using a virtual machine running Ubuntu. The primary technologies include React Native for the frontend, Django Rest Framework for the backend, and PostgreSQL for data storage. The logo design incorporates a vector of Athena, sourced from Freepik, and was further customized in GIMP. The development took place in Visual Studio Code, with significant support from tools like Gemma and AI Studio, which were invaluable for generating ideas, refining code, and overcoming complex challenges within the project’s tight timeline. Finally, all simulations and testing were conducted on my personal Android device.
Challenges I ran into
The primary challenges included, limited time for development, adapting to new technical stacks, creating an actionable plan and impactful project, and overcoming technical hurdles and integrating new solutions.
How This Contributes to Gender Equality:
Women face disproportionate risks to their safety, especially in public spaces, and may not always receive timely help. Aegis directly addresses this need, providing women with tools to quickly connect with their trusted contacts, send location-based alerts, and access safety resources. This empowerment fosters a more equitable society where women can feel secure and supported. By acknowledging these unique challenges and delivering a solution, Aegis promotes gender equality and a world where women’s safety is prioritized.
Accomplishments that I am proud of
I am proud of gaining a deeper understanding of this critical issue and creating a tool that, even in a small way, that could contribute to a community deeply affected by violence. I’m also proud to have expanded my skills and remained fully engaged with this meaningful yet challenging project.
What I learned
This project opened my eyes to the wealth of options and resources available. It highlighted the importance of learning continuously and deepening involvement to make a real difference.
What's next for Aegis
The future goals for Aegis include ongoing enhancement of the application’s features and finding ways to collaborate with local organizations to support community safety.
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