What is the challenge

In many conflict-affected and displaced communities, women and girls face deeply rooted barriers, including restrictive social norms, discrimination, and limited access to services. These barriers prevent them from knowing their rights or accessing timely support.

The rise of digital technology presents a powerful opportunity to bridge these gaps, but it also brings new risks, such as technology-facilitated GBV (TFGBV). Laaha is a direct response to these complex challenges. It provides a secure, user-friendly digital platform where women and girls can safely access vital information, connect with support networks, and take control of their safety and well-being – regardless of their circumstances or location. This innovative approach aims to transform how vulnerable populations access discreet, reliable support in humanitarian settings and beyond.

Laaha’s vision is to create a safe, accessible space where women and girls, even in the most challenging circumstances, can find the information, support, and connection they need to protect and empower themselves. Laaha was designed in collaboration with women and girls to deliver culturally relevant resources on sexual and reproductive health, women’s rights, mental health, violence prevention, and online safety.

What is innovative about the project

Laaha combines user-centred design with advanced digital tools to create a safe and adaptable online platform for women and girls. The platform was co-designed with women and girls, and a Girls’ Council is embedded within its governance structure to help shape decisions and ensure accountability. Content is culturally tailored and developed in partnership with local communities.

Laaha integrates safety-by-design features such as anonymous browsing, quick-exit functions, and moderated forums to protect user privacy. It also incorporates multilingual and low-connectivity solutions, including AI-assisted translations, open-source voiceovers, and interactive voice response systems. This ensures accessibility in low-bandwidth, rural, and conflict-affected environments.

By combining secure digital spaces with strong partnerships across governments, civil society, and the private sector, Laaha offers a scalable model for safe digital engagement in humanitarian contexts.

What are the expected outcomes

During the project period, Laaha aims to reach more than 3 million women and girls globally with tailored information on sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence prevention, mental health, and online safety through the platform. The focus is on establishing safe, moderated online communities that provide peer support, promote digital literacy, and empower women and girls to recognize and respond to online violence and harassment. Efforts will also be directed towards improving digital safety tools and deepening impact through innovative technology solutions and strategic partnerships such as Interactive Voice Recordings (IVR) and AI functionality.

In the long term, the aim is to contribute to a transformative shift in how women and girls access safety, support, and information in digital spaces, particularly in humanitarian and conflict-affected settings. Integrating Laaha into national systems and strengthening governance around online safety will foster safer digital ecosystems, enabling women and girls to exercise their rights, participate fully in society, and live free from the threat of technology-facilitated GBV. The ultimate vision is to create trusted digital platforms that uphold safety, dignity, and agency for women and girls worldwide.

Who are the project partners

The project is led by UNICEF, which oversees platform development, content, and safety protocols.

Implementation is supported by government ministries, local NGOs, civil society organisations, and technology vendors that adapt and localise Laaha across different contexts. Academic partners, including Washington University in St. Louis, contribute impact evaluation and research expertise.

Private sector partners, including mobile network operators and technology providers, support AI translation, voiceover, IVR functionality, and affordable low-bandwidth access.

This diverse group of partners is brought together in a multi-layer governance structure supporting strong external oversight and gives credibility to decision making, supporting access to in-kind technical contributions while retaining a women and girls centred structure.