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Tech for Safer Cities: Tackling Gender Based Violence for Women & Youth – #NYTechWeek

June 3 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Sessions: 90 mins each

11 am to 1230 pm – RSVP here!
0230 pm to 4 pm – RSVP here!

Open engagement: 12:30 – 2:00 pm and 4:00–6:00 PM (meet the teams, demos, conversations)

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains one of the most underreported human rights violations globally, disproportionately affecting women, youth, and vulnerable communities who often face barriers to reporting, limited access to support systems, and a lack of trust in institutions.

This session brings together Red Dot Foundation Global, Catcalls of NYC, Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team and If Possible AI, in collaboration with The NYC PIT Pop Up, an activation of CUNY Public Interest Technology Lab, to explore how technology can make invisible harms visible, amplify survivor voices, and strengthen public accountability.

To make the experience more participatory and hands-on, the session will be delivered as an immersive solution showcase and rotating demo lab rather than a traditional panel.

Participants will explore practical, community-driven technologies and creative approaches that address gender-based violence, strengthen civic participation, improve public decision-making, and support safer, more inclusive communities.

This event is part of #NYTechWeek – a week of events hosted by VCs and startups bringing together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.

What problem are we addressing?

GBV is pervasive, but the data needed to prevent it is incomplete, biased, or absent, particularly for immigrant women.

Barriers include:

  • Fear of authorities and immigration consequences
  • Limited digital access and literacy
  • Cultural stigma and language gaps

As a result, cities are often designing safety systems without the participation or data of those most at risk. Most tech solutions optimise for efficiency, not equity.

This creates a persistent gap between lived experience and institutional response.

What solution will this session offer?

We focus on community-driven, tech-enabled approaches that close the gap between lived experience and institutional response:

Citizen-generated data (Safecity) → Identifying patterns and informing policy

Public storytelling and visibility (Catcalls of NYC) → Shifting norms and reclaiming space

Open-source mapping (Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team) → Enabling inclusive, geospatial decision-making

AI-powered advocacy and fundraising (If Possible AI) → Democratising access to funding

Format (90 minutes, interactive)

We will present 4 case studies and have an interactive segment for participants to share their perspectives through a Collective Reflection Wall. We seek inputs on: How can citizen-generated data improve public decision-making? What makes technology inclusive and trustworthy for immigrant and marginalised communities? How can data, storytelling, and mapping work together to create safer cities? What would it take to scale these solutions in your community? The responses will be synthesised into a practical framework for designing ethical, inclusive public interest technology.

Speakers

  • Gillian D’Souza Nazareth – Treasurer, Red Dot Foundation Global
  • Sophie Sandberg – Catcalls of NYC; Chalk Back
  • Colleen Cook – If Possible AI
  • DK Benjamin – Senior Tech Lead Humanitarian, OpenStreetMap

Open Engagement (12:30-2:00 PM and 4:00–6:00 PM)

An informal space to:

  • Experience live demos (Safecity, Mobile Pathways, mapping tools)
  • Explore collaboration opportunities
  • Engage directly with practitioners working at the intersection of tech, gender, and migration

Details

  • Date: June 3
  • Time:
    11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Venue