While most apps for women focus on beauty, fashion, and celeb gossip, there are a few that aim to take on the patriarchy and empower women everywhere. That's right: they're apps for feminists, the women (and men!) who want to slay gender stereotypes and make the world safer and more equitable. Here are a few of my fave feminist apps, ready to educate and entertain (and more).
1. Circle of 6
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Praised by ex-VP and feminist Joe Biden, this app makes safety a snap. Simply load the app with your six most trusted friends, and if you find yourself in a dangerous or uncomfortable situation, two taps in the app and your friends will get a pre-programmed text message with your location. The app also includes safety hotlines and there's even a customized version for several colleges and universities.
Price: FREE at itunes.apple.com
2. Women & Girls
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Whether you want to research something specific, or you're just curious about gender equality in general, this app is fascinating and informative. Using data provided to the United Nations by 201 countries, the app allows you to see gender-based stats in easy-to-understand charts and graphs. You'll be truly surprised at some of the info - check out data for the U.S. and you'll be shocked at how far we still have to go.
Price: $2.99 at itunes.apple.com
3. Tampon Run
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High schoolers Andy Gonzales and Sophie Houser had had enough of period shaming and menstruation taboo, so together they developed with 8-bit awesomeness. It's a great little game; you literally get to hurl tampons at shamers (oddly addictive) and even the music is fun.
Price: FREE at itunes.apple.com
4. Gender Timer
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We've all had to battle the stereotype that women are just more "chatty" than men, even though the stats don't bear this out. This handy little timer lets you prove that men can (and often do) dominate the conversations, both in real life (think office meetings) or on TV (think every damn prime-time show you've ever watched). I can't tell you how many times I've used this during a movie that's supposed to be about women, and been appalled at the outcome. Now, who's going to develop a Bechdel Test app?
Price: FREE at itunes.apple.com
5. Bumble
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Created by one of the (female) co-founders of Tinder, this app takes the swipe-to-connect concept and adds a woman-friendly twist: women make the first move. If you see a guy you like, swipe right. If he also swipes right, you have a "match," and then you have 24 hours to contact him. There's something wonderful about getting to choose the interactions, and after using this app for a month, I can attest that the men who use it are NOT the same dick pic-sending vultures who proliferate on OKCupid or Tinder.
Price: FREE at itunes.apple.com
6. Aspire News Network
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This looks and works like a typical news app, with one daring but discreet difference: the Help section contains resources for victims of domestic abuse.
Price: FREE at play.google.com
7. Spot on
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Provided free by Planned Parenthood, this app tracks your period and birth control (and a lot more, actually). Not every woman menstruates or uses birth control, but for those who do, it's important and empowering to know what's going on with your body, why, and when. I love the "period" slang pop-ups, too.
Price: FREE at itunes.apple.com
8. Not Buying It
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Raise your hand (and download this app) if you're tired of the way women are portrayed in the media (especially in advertising). With this app, you can forward and tweet a copy of a seriously offensive, sexist ad with the #notbuyingit tag. To get an idea of why this app exists, check out the posts with that tag. It's horrifying, and that's exactly why we need to be aware and boost the signal.
Price: FREE at itunes.apple.com
Which of these feminist apps will you download first? Or is there another one I ought to add to my list?
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are some great apps for women who support feminism?
- Apps like Bumble, Clue, Bumble BFF, and Girlboss are designed to empower women and support feminist values.
- Can these apps help me connect with other feminist women?
- Yes, many apps offer community features to connect, share experiences, and support women in their feminist journey.
- Are there apps focused on women’s health and feminism?
- Absolutely! Apps like Clue provide menstrual tracking combined with education on women’s health and gender issues.
- Do any apps offer feminist news and resources?
- Yes, apps such as Feminist Frequency and The Cut provide articles, news, and resources focused on feminism and women’s rights.
- Can these apps support my mental health as a feminist woman?
- Several apps include mindfulness, self-care, and empowerment tools tailored specifically for women.
- Are there safe dating apps focused on feminist values?
- Apps like Bumble promote respectful relationships with a focus on equality and consent.
- How do I know if an app truly supports feminism?
- Look for apps created by women, with features promoting equality, safety, and community support for women.
- Are these apps free or do they require payment?
- Most apps offer free versions with optional paid features or subscriptions for extra benefits.
- Can I find career-focused apps supporting women’s empowerment?
- Yes, apps like Girlboss provide career advice, networking, and mentorship for women.
- How do these apps help promote gender equality?
- They foster awareness, provide educational content, support safe spaces, and empower women to connect and lead.