Could Tech Advancements Render The Physical Risk Of Men Irrelevant?

There is no denying that we all know at least one or two women who far outstrip men when it comes to the power they display when they face the world. There are women who fight against the odds to get where they need to be. There are even women who manage to pick themselves up after an attack and fight for justice. If nothing else, the #metoo movement has proven that there’s no lack of strong women in this world.

When it comes to physical strength though, many men still have the upper hand. And, it’s this which causes even the emotionally strongest women to feel unsafe sometimes. A study by California Lutheran University revealed that women’s upper body strength is only around 25-55% of a male’s. That means even physically strong women are working with around half the power of their male counterparts.

Of course, there are always exceptions. There are weaker men and stronger women. But, in general, it’s fair to say that men have the biological upper hand. Is it any wonder, then, that a woman’s heart starts beating faster when she walks alone in the park? Is it any surprise female night workers are reluctant to be left with no male colleagues? We may be strong, but we can’t overcome science.

Lucky for us, technology looks set to do just that. A quick look at the world of tech right now reveals a significant focus on keeping women safe. In part, that’s likely due to the shocking revelations of the last few years. You could also probably link this back to many of the powerful women in tech right now.

Either way, these advancements could further even those sexual scores. And, that’s always a goal to work towards. Women working overnight under the watch of a security camera system which can foresee violence need never feel unsafe without male supervision again. Subtle personal alarms like the Revolar even ensure women can keep themselves safe while walking solo. All thanks to a tiny device they can clip onto their car keys. And, that’s the tip of the iceberg. Tech like ROAR even means women can deter attackers and attract help by setting off loud alarms when they feel threatened.

The issue of women’s safety has become such that, in June of this year, the Women's Safety XPrize awarded a $1 million prize to the new tech which most promoted female safety. The competition brought designs by women from all over the world. The winner, SAFER Pro from Leaf Wearables, is a chip which both alerts nominated guardians to danger and starts recording from the moment a signal is sent.

This prize and the many other safety efforts towards this cause are definite steps in the right direction. There are still undeniable discrepancies between the risks men and women have to face. But, by highlighting tech like that mentioned above, there’s more chance than ever that women will be able to go about their lives without worry.