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The article covers the official launch of the Safe YOU app in Poland, marking its second rollout in the EU after Romania. Developed to enhance women’s safety and empowerment, the platform offers emergency support, a moderated forum, and access to professional consultations. The launch, led by WAVE members Safe YOU and Feminoteka Foundation, brought together government officials and civil society actors, highlighting the need for accessible digital tools—especially for vulnerable groups like refugee women. With support from UNFPA and international donors, Safe YOU continues its mission to create a safe, supportive ecosystem for women worldwide.
Written by
Milena Hayrapetyan, Safe YOU1
Safe YOU, a global initiative dedicated to women’s safety and empowerment, has officially launched in Poland, becoming the second EU country, after Romania, to adopt the platform.
The launch of the Safe YOU platform is the result of a partnership between two WAVE member organizations—Safe YOU itself and the Polish Feminoteka Foundation2—highlighting the collaborative spirit of the WAVE Network. The event, held on 10th December, featured a presentation of the Safe YOU app, a panel discussion, and a Q&A session.
Attendees included Poland’s Minister of Equality, Katarzyna Kotula, Armenia’s Ambassador to Poland, Alexander Arzoumanian, and many other special guests. Minister Kotula shared her personal experience with sexual assault, emphasizing the urgent need for resources like Safe YOU to support survivors.
Safe YOU is more than just an app; it’s a digital safe space that offers immediate assistance, support, and empowerment. Founded in 2020 by social entrepreneur Mariam Torosyan, the platform first launched in Armenia and has since expanded to Georgia, Iraq, New Mexico (U.S), Romania, and now Poland.
The app includes a HELP button that instantly alerts up to seven pre-selected contacts including friends, family, service providers, and the police if activated, while also recording audio for potential legal use. To ensure privacy, users can disguise the app’s name and icon and set a fake PIN code for extra security.
Beyond emergencies, Safe YOU provides a moderated forum where women can connect, access educational materials, and receive free, confidential consultations from professionals like lawyers, psychologists, gynecologists and social workers. This accessibility is crucial, especially for vulnerable groups such as refugees. With Poland and Romania hosting many Ukrainian refugee women and girls, the app’s availability in these countries is particularly important.
The Safe YOU expansion in Poland is supported by the United Nations Population Fund for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (UNFPA EECARO), and was funded by the U.S. Department of State, along with contributions from Canada, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, and Germany.
For Safe YOU founder Mariam Torosyan, expanding the platform internationally is a significant milestone, but the work continues. “My ultimate goal has always been to make sure that women do not feel alone,” she stated. “The app is about creating a big ecosystem of support that removes all barriers to access for women and puts the power back in the hands of the survivor.”
With Safe YOU now operational in Poland, more women will have access to critical tools and support, ensuring a safer and more inclusive society for all.
