The Challenge
Designing a government data platform for tracking gender-based violence presented a unique challenge: how do you collect critical policy data while ensuring absolute victim anonymity and psychological safety? Trust was everything—one design misstep could put vulnerable people at risk.
My role
As lead designer with an anthropological background, I was responsible for balancing complex data requirements with human safety needs. My approach went beyond technical specifications to understand the emotional and cultural context of both victims and caseworkers using the system.
The Process in Action
Phase 1: Anonymity by Design
I established "anonymity by design" as our core principle after discovering that trust was the primary barrier to data collection. I created user flows where all identifying information was encrypted and compartmentalized from the point of entry. The interface prioritized simplicity and reassurance, creating a safe digital environment for caseworkers handling sensitive information.
Phase 2: Cultural integration
During stakeholder workshops, the Guyanese team expressed the importance of reflecting national identity in the platform design. This created a delicate balance—incorporating vibrant cultural elements without trivializing the serious nature of the work. Through collaborative design sessions, I developed a color palette that honored the national flag while maintaining accessibility standards and appropriate gravitas.
Phase 3: Remote validation
I advocated for remote user testing to validate our design assumptions in real-world conditions. Using interactive prototypes and Maze testing, I gathered feedback from caseworkers performing key tasks. This revealed critical workflow improvements, particularly around incident report creation, which informed our final design iterations.
The Outcome & Impact
The final platform design was approved by all stakeholders and successfully handed off to development. The system was deployed in Guyana, providing organizations with a trusted tool for supporting gender-based violence victims while maintaining the highest standards of data security and cultural sensitivity.
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