Uplevyl Uk Launch during International Women's History Month.

In the new world of AI and social media apps it is evident that many platforms are male dominated or created with the premise that men will be the leading voice. Recently I had the privilege of talking with Uplevyl founder and creator Shubi Rao who later invited me to the Uplevyl UK Launch during International Women's History Month event, 6 March 2025 held at the AFC Wimbledon. Shubi described Uplevyl as being “an app for women, by women”, available in both the Itunes and Google Play stores. My only question is: why is this just now becoming a reality? A UN Women’s 2024 report shows “between 16 to 58 percent” of TF VAWG (Technology Facilitated Violence Against Women & Girls) experience online violence. As a brother, uncle, God-Father and cousin to several amazing women I am elated that they will finally be able to join a social media platform that curates a safe, creative and informed space. 

Meet the app helping professional women everywhere break the glass ceiling.

Uplevyl offers a new creative space for women to build connections and hold a space where they have complete control of their narratives and autonomy over who enters their circle. The launch event this past Thursday focused not only on the benefits of the app but additionally amazing women in tech. Jackie Zehner who is an investor and Chief Engagement Officer for Uplevyl shared her thoughts on the need for such an app. “There are very few places that show up in social media that actually care about women. That wants to prioritize their voices, their perspectives, creating an uplifting space, you know, with a lot of mindfulness, around safety and data privacy. We value women, we care about women.”  With the United States ban on DEI initiatives that will greatly affect women and women of color, women now have a safe space to create opportunities for each other and hopefully plan on saving the world.

The event was hosted by former Love Island alum Priscilla Anyabu who shared her struggles of transitioning from Reality TV Starlet to host and sports enthusiast. She reflected on some of the unsolicited comments on her social spaces from men on her being a woman in sports. On stage with her was James (apologies, I arrived late and was unable to get his full name) the two hosted an amazing panel that included Gaming Entrepreneur Stephanie Nneoma who partnered with Sky Creative for their “No Room For Abuse” campaign, Clinical Psychologist Paris Lalove and Anna who from the sounds of it is sort of a Private Investigator or Spy, so we will not be linking in her socials. But they were all profoundly inspiring and offered great advice on dealing with societal pressures, online bullying and discrimination as well as how they power through as often-times women and especially women of colour have to do. 

As the launch paused, we asked attendees what their thoughts were with guests saying, “I'm excited for something like this to exist and really see how it evolves and to create community online.” Whilst others discussed how to get Uplevyl accessible to women everywhere, and what better a time to launch such an app than in March for International Women’s History Month. 

5 THINGS TO TAKE AWAY FROM UPLEVYL

1. Security

2. Community

3. Privacy

4. Moderation

5. Ad-Free

STATISTICAL DATA FROM UN WOMEN:

Sourced

• Arab States: 60 percent of women internet users have experienced online violence. 

• Eastern Europe and Central Asia: research across 12 countries found that more than 50 per cent of women over 18 years old have experienced some form of technology-facilitated abuse in their lifetime.  

• Sub-Saharan Africa: A study of five countries found that 28 per cent of women had experienced online violence.  

• Europe and the USA: A survey of women aged 18 – 55 in Denmark, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the USA found that 23 per cent of women reported at least one experience of online abuse or harassment.

• Additional Data: Report of The Secretary General