THE CHALLENGE

Today, tragically, violence against women remains a global pandemic: 7 of every 10 women across the world suffer physical and/or sexual violence. And violence against women affects women everywhere; in Europe, 1 out of every 3 women will suffer physical and/or sexual abuse at some point in her lifetime. In addition to the devastating costs in human pain and suffering, this violence entails huge social and economic costs for societies as a whole.

In November 2015, thousands of people gathered in Madrid to protest the prevalence of violence against women in Spain, where, since 1995, more than 1,390 women have been murdered by male attackers (in 2015 alone, 84 cases of murders of women by men were recorded). These are only the reported cases; victims of violence are often reluctant to come forward to police and take legal action, for fear of reprisals and/or stigma.

The SOLUTIONS WE'RE PROPOSING

An innovative mobile phone application “Ana Bella App”, launched by W4’s field partner the Ana Bella Foundation, is providing a lifeline for female victims of violence and abuse in Spain. The app helps women to access the resources and support they need to escape from dangerous, even life-threatening, situations. It connects women who are suffering from violence and abuse with a survivors’ network and emergency services such as access to shelter and legal help. The application is enabling women across the country to speak out about violence and take the first critical steps out of violent, abusive situations. Costing just 6 euros per month, it offers a high-impact, cost-effective solution to help women suffering from violence and abuse. 

THE IMPACT OF GIVING

By funding the Ana Bella App, you can save lives, helping women (and their children) to escape from violent, even life-threating, situations. The application helpline not only helps women to escape from emergency situations but also connects women with an array of support services and programs that will help them to rebuild their lives: shelter, legal aid, psychological counselling, vocational training, job placement.

Via the app, women in danger can access and benefit from the support of a peer network of other women survivors of violence, helping them on their journey of healing and recovery. The Ana Bella network also helps women survivors to become economically self-reliant through vocational skills training and job placement services. Since September 2015, a total of 183 women have benefited from this application. Make a donation today and help save lives: help W4 and our partner Ana Bella Foundation to make the application available to more women in need of help.