Patricia Mwenda

Throughout the course of the COVID-19 Pandemic the term “Shadow Pandemic” emerged due to increased cases of domestic abuse around the world. This thesis explores two wearable devices designed for self-directed PTSD treatment and self-tracking of mental health and well-being for female-identifying domestic abuse survivors in Kenya. The self-tracking wearable device is called Moyo Monitor (Heart Monitor) used for heart rate sensing and motion mapping. The self-directed PTSD treatment wearable device is called Tulia Band (Calm Band) which is designed with features based on existing PTSD interventions. Both devices work in tandem and communicate through Bluetooth technology. The wearable devices draw design inspiration from Kenyan culture and themes situated within Afrofuturism and Africanfuturism frameworks, which aim to convey symbolism of empowerment for female-identifying domestic abuse survivors and in a much larger context highlight the importance of raising awareness of domestic abuse in Kenya.