The Humqadam App is an initiative to inform and guide victims of gender-based violence with information about relevant governmental and CSO organizations. The app provides information regarding services that respond to cases of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and other human rights violations. These include police and law enforcement, government helplines, ministries, and commissions as well civil society organizations that provide legal aid, psycho-social support at the national and provincial level as well as in eight districts (Peshawar, Mardan, Lahore, Vehari, Quetta, Jaffarabad, Karachi and Hyderabad). The app is available to be downloaded in both English and Urdu. The app will connect women with safe spaces, shelters, security organizations, medical aid, and provide access to gender-laws and other resources that women can use, in different parts of Pakistan.

Features

Emergency services: These include both security and medical services for women in danger. Anyone in need of these services can easily browse by district, and can even conduct a wild search (which means search by the name of the relevant organization they wish to find). Each list has been personally checked by the Shirkat Gah team. If you click on the map, a message will appear on your screen, warning you that you are leaving the Shirkat Gah application. The pin for that location will drop onto the google map so you know the exact location of the service you want to reach.

A step-by-step guide: Case-by-case guidance is provided to human rights defenders (HRDs) according to the areas they work in. By simply clicking onto the specific offense, you can visit the respective district and then access the guidance provided. The application is designed in a Q&A format, so that the user does not have cognitive overload and only reads what they want to read. The Urdu version of this application ensures a wider audience is reached.

A resource directory: Instead of having to search for information, the Humqadam app is built to assist you to easily find the service you are in need of. The directory contains information for security services, shelter homes, medical aid, provisional helplines and even members of parliament (who are categorized party-wise and according to their respective constituencies).

A section for relevant laws: We have tried to incorporate as many relevant laws as possible. All the information was verified by the Shirkat Gah team. However, we are not responsible for the information outside of the Humqadam app; for example, if it is changed in the future. You will receive that disclaimer when you first open the app.

Language support: The app is currently available in both English and Urdu. We also have plans to add regional languages in the future. We created a dynamic framework, so the application is future proof.

The About Us and Privacy Policy: You can also see an About Us section on the application, which details the organizations involved in its creation. The privacy policy of the application was vetted by the Digital Rights Foundation, so users can be assured that their safety will not be compromised in any way. This app will save lives!”

The app can be used offline: Once you download the application, even if you do not have access to the internet, you can still use all the applications features offline. This means that all the data and resources are available at your fingertips at all times.