Noor: A Discreet Lifeline for Women Escaping Domestic Abuse
Noor is a safety box and app designed specifically for women living in abusive households, allowing them to discreetly collect and document evidence of abuse. Created as part of Ria John's thesis, Empowerment in Disguise: Supporting South Asian Immigrant Women Experiencing Violence in the US, Noor envisions a supportive and empowering community for South Asian domestic violence survivors, offering the resources and solidarity they desperately need.
Ingeniously designed to resemble a menstrual product, the Noor box leverages the cultural stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation as a safeguard against unwanted scrutiny.
Ingeniously designed to resemble a menstrual product, the Noor box leverages the cultural stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation as a safeguard against unwanted scrutiny. This clever disguise ensures that essential and sensitive items can be safely hidden, as men are often reluctant to interact with menstrual products.
Inside the Noor box, a secret compartment contains a QR code that directs users to a secure app when scanned. This app, disguised as a menstrual tracker, allows women to digitally document their experiences and collect evidence of abuse without fear of detection. Additionally, the app provides access to a community of fellow survivors, enabling women to share their struggles, seek advice, and support one another in a confidential environment.
The Noor app, disguised as a menstrual tracker, allows women to digitally document their experiences and collect evidence of abuse without fear of detection.
The urgency of Noor's mission is underscored by alarming statistics: while the national average for domestic violence in the US is 1 in 4, it rises to 2 in 5 within the South Asian diaspora. This disparity, highlighted by Kavita Mehra, Executive Director of Sakhi, a leading South Asian domestic violence organization, reflects the acute vulnerability of this community. The challenges are compounded by the lack of culturally sensitive resources tailored to their specific needs. Noor addresses this gap, not just by providing a discreet tool for documentation, but by creating a bridge to a supportive community. This holistic approach ensures that survivors are not only equipped to protect themselves but also connected to a network that understands and advocates for their unique experiences.
Ria explains that she created Noor with the aim to empower South Asian women in abusive situations by giving them the tools to protect themselves and connect with others who understand their experiences. Beyond addressing survivors' immediate needs, Noor advocates for more tailored resources and support systems for the South Asian diaspora. By offering a discreet means to document abuse and fostering a supportive community, Noor takes a crucial step toward addressing the unique challenges faced by this vulnerable population.
To learn more about Ria John’s work, take a look at the other thesis projects that make up Empowerment in Disguise: Supporting South Asian Immigrant Women Experiencing Violence in the US. Find more of her design work at riajohn.notion.site.