ANARKI: A Technology-Driven Framework for Enhancing Women’s Safety Through Real-Time Security and Privacy

Abstract

Women’s safety continues to be a serious concern especially with the national crime rate against women increasing from 57.0 to 67.0 per 100,000 women between 2020 and 2022. In 2024, the National Commission for Women (NCW) reported 25,743 cases showing the urgent need for better safety solutions. Many challenges remain such as delayed responses from law enforcement due to poor location tracking and weak communication systems. Existing safety apps often don’t meet the needs of users from different backgrounds, lacking essential features and easy usability. This research introduces ANARKI (Application for Navigating Assistance & Response for Keeping Immediate Support), a mobile app created to improve women's safety by offering real-time emergency support and privacy protection. With smartphone usage in India at 7.0% in 2024 and expected to rise to 8.3% by 2029, ANARKI is designed with a simple interface and key features like: Easy navigation and clean UI for all age groups, Spy camera detector to protect privacy, SOS alert system for quick help during emergencies, Fake siren to scare or distract potential threats. To build and improve ANARKI, the study used a mixed research method. A Google Form survey was conducted with 170 participants of different age groups to gather feedback on design, usability, and feature preferences. The results helped identify what users expect from a safety app. Additionally, a review of seven existing research papers helped understand the strengths and gaps in current women’s safety apps. Combining user feedback with research insights helped make ANARKI more user-friendly, inclusive and effective. The app not only improves emergency response but also empowers users with preventive tools and health monitoring features. This study highlights the role of innovation, government policies and public awareness in building strong and long-lasting safety solutions. In the future, technologies like AI-based threat detection and smart city integration could make digital safety even stronger making tech a key part of protecting women’s well-being.