Empowering Youth: The Matrisse App for Digital Safety and Advocacy

Matrisse Initiatives
Apr 16
3 min read

Online spaces offer incredible opportunities for young people to connect, learn, and advocate for change. Yet, these spaces also expose them to risks such as harassment, abuse, and threats to their digital rights. Addressing these challenges requires tools that provide real-time support, education, and safe platforms for dialogue. The Matrisse Engagement App, developed in partnership with CHD, responds to this need by combining technology and community-driven features to protect and empower youth and women in digital environments.

Women, laughing in a classroom scene, holding and pointing at the Matrisse App

Features of The Matrisse Engagement App

The app offers a comprehensive set of tools designed to support users facing online abuse and to build their digital safety skills. Here are the key components:

AI Safety Bot (Real-Time Support)

This feature acts as an immediate guide for users experiencing online abuse. The AI Safety Bot helps users:

Identify potential threats and abusive behavior
Secure their online accounts to prevent further harm
Preserve evidence safely for possible legal or advocacy use
Access trusted legal and psychosocial support services

By providing instant assistance, the bot reduces the time users spend feeling vulnerable and unsure about next steps.

Digital Rights Learning Lab

The app includes a gamified learning module inspired by feminist digital safety training. This module helps young people:

Build awareness of digital rights and online risks
Develop resilience against online harassment
Learn practical self-protection skills for safer internet use

The interactive format encourages engagement and makes learning about digital safety accessible and enjoyable.

Intergenerational Dialogue Portal

This secure space connects youth activists, scholars, and policymakers. It fosters:

Meaningful participation across generations
Open dialogue on digital rights and gender-based violence
Evidence-based advocacy informed by diverse perspectives

The portal strengthens collaboration and ensures that youth voices influence policy and social change.

Safety Toolkit Access

Users can download a variety of digital safeguards, learning resources, and assessment reports. This toolkit provides:

Practical guides for protecting privacy and security online
Educational materials tailored to different user needs
Tools to assess personal digital safety and risks

Having these resources readily available supports ongoing learning and preparedness.

Community Reporting Hub

The app offers an anonymized reporting mechanism that allows users to:

Report incidents of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) safely
Contribute to data collection without exposing their identity
Help map trends and inform targeted responses

This feature empowers communities to track and address abuse patterns while prioritizing user safety.

Our Approach

The Matrisse Engagement App is designed with the realities of low-bandwidth environments in mind. This ensures that users in areas with limited internet access can still benefit from its features. The app is built using an open-source approach, which means:

The technology can be adapted and improved by the community
Long-term sustainability is supported through transparency and collaboration
Scalability allows the app to reach more users over time without compromising quality

This approach reflects a commitment to accessibility and continuous improvement.

Our Goal

The project aims to reach over 1,000 active users within the first year. By doing so, it seeks to:

Strengthen digital literacy and safety skills among women and youth
Improve access to protection and support services for those facing online abuse
Foster a safer and more inclusive digital environment where marginalized voices are heard

Achieving these goals will contribute to reducing the impact of online abuse and enhancing digital rights awareness.

Why This Matters

Young people are among the most active users of digital platforms, yet they often lack the tools and support to navigate risks effectively. The Matrisse Engagement App addresses this gap by combining technology, education, and community engagement. It offers practical solutions that empower users to protect themselves and advocate for safer online spaces.

By supporting this initiative, individuals and organizations can help amplify the voices of youth and women, promote digital rights, and contribute to a culture of respect and safety online.