Karen Ziboh
Nigeria
-
Completed in
2023
EQ Hacks is so excited to do our first ever feature article on FairSpace by Karen Ziboh of Nigeria, our first place winning project for Equitable Elevation I.
FairSpace is a transformative app built with innovative technology that’s catered to victims of workplace harassment.
Out of the 380+ amazing participants in Equitable Elevation I, FairSpace stands out for its sheer impact and its solid connection to EQ Hacks’s purpose. Karen Ziboh’s submission is an illuminating testament to the ability for technology to foster meaningful change which is why EQ Hacks believes FairSpace is a hackathon project that deserves your undivided attention.
How does Fairspace turn silence into strength?
FairSpace's journey began in the heart of the creator, Karen Ziboh. Inspired by the dark side of toxic workplaces, Ziboh sought out to build a platform for incident reporting.
"Witnessing the impact of silence, we envisioned a solution that empowers victims to report harassment confidently." - Ziboh
The realization that so many victims were suffering silently in the face of harassment motivated the creation of a functional incident—a reporting platform. An avenue for victims to report their experiences, but provides security for workplace abuse victims.
This is apparent while viewing the driving force behind FairSpace: the power of anonymity. Individuals are free to speak out against workplace injustice without worrying about retaliation because FairSpace offers secure and anonymous reporting. This anonymous report system serves as a forum for silent victims to seek important accountability.
It's a digital haven for exploited youth and adults.
Ziboh meticulously crafted FairSpace using React, a widely recognized JavaScript library known for its user interface capabilities. Moreover, in order for the FairSpace team to create a scalable backend, they utilized FireBase, which allows for convenient real-time data storage and secure authentication.
That isn’t to say Ziboh’s journey towards a functional project was easy. Due to the absence of a robust backend system and the limited resources available to her, it was particularly challenging for her to enact cloud messaging features that provided real-time notifications.
Nonetheless, EQ Hacks is still proud of what FairSpace was and will be able to accomplish!
"F" in Fairspace is the future.
Despite their difficulties, FairSpace and Ziboh serve as an exemplar of what can be accomplished in the short time of two weeks. Not only is FairSpace a powerful tool, but it can be a genuine catalyst for positive change and awareness in the workplace.
According to Karen Ziboh, the FairSpace team is most proud of its role in increasing public awareness of workplace concerns and using their product to start conversations surrounding workplace safety.
Throughout Equitable Elevation I, we are glad to have seen FairSpace's creator accumulate valuable lessons. Karen Ziboh learned that technology needs to be applied in a targeted manner, one where it remains socially and culturally aware. This is exemplified through Ziboh’s understanding that an anonymous system is necessary. Moreover, it expanded the horizons of technology, introducing serverless technologies and emphasizing the importance of a user-focused approach in software design.
It serves as an important reminder that technology can elevate voices. We hope, like us, you keep FairSpace in mind—a project that wants to create workplaces that are equitable and safe.
Check out the Karen Ziboh's work here:
If you liked this article and enjoyed Karen’s project, feel free to leave a comment of support on their DevPost page!
Want the chance to get your own featured article? Join our ongoing competitions.
