As urban centres expand and densify, emergency services are scrambling to extend their reach. To help people feel safer in public spaces, tech brands are now harnessing the power of mobile networks and GPS tracking, with Nimb’s connected panic button proving that wearables aren’t just for workouts.

Getting home at night as a woman can be a headache-inducing exercise in risk assessment. Public transport is gropey, ride-sharing can feel dicey, and proper taxis can empty your bank account. Can SafeHer’s promise a female-friendly alternative to Uber give women peace of mind?

The emergence of female-focused dating, transportation and security apps is indicative of the fact that women’s freedom of movement in everyday life is often curtailed by the threat of violence. Yet as these services often don’t increase access to public spaces, what can be done differently?

After Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein’s history of alleged sexual misconduct was bared to the world, social feeds were flooded with a singular expression: #MeToo. The hashtag went viral, inspiring over half a million tweets in just 24 hours, but can people really find solace in an online trend?