Designing Technology to Support Awareness, Self-Help, and Create Safe Spaces for Women Affected by Forced Marriages

This research explores how interactive technologies can raise awareness, support self-help, and create safe spaces for women affected by forced marriages. Despite legal protections, FMs persist globally, including in Switzerland, where patriarchal family structures contrast with egalitarian societal norms. The study is structured into three stages: (1) supporting awareness and realization of abuse, (2) assisting in help-seeking through self-help and enhanced communication with support organizations, and (3) facilitating life repair to ensure safety and independence post-FM. Collaborating with the Swiss Competence Center against Forced Marriages, this research uses participatory, feminist, and trauma-informed approaches. The expected outcomes include tailored technological solutions for the unique challenges of FMs, offering insights into designing for complex social, cultural, and familial dynamics. This doctoral research aims to contribute to HCI by demonstrating how technology can empower individuals in patriarchal contexts within Western societies.