A project by Footage Foundation

Our vision for FemSMS is to create resources for women and girls* offering hope and social connection. It equips them with trusted information in these transformative times through the delivery of text messages using compassionate language to end information poverty, increase resilience and build belonging. Voices are heard, experiences shared and lives elevated.

FemSMS Ukraine: Sign up

* While FemSMS is based on feminist principles, wellbeing is intersectional, and crisis and times of change will impact all gender expressions. Our texts are for all those impacted.

About FemSMS

Designs, tests, and disseminates compassionate resources focusing on needs as they arise

Trauma-informed messages provide solace while simultaneously conveying essential information.  

Women’s voices and local contexts sit at the heart of the initiative as all messages are iteratively designed and tested, through a human-centered design process.

Participatory design ensures needs are met, communication is effective, and research and impact evaluation is on-going.

More About FemSMS

Our Impact & Research

  • 97% liked the compassionate tone and feel of the messages received.

  • 5400+ texts with life-saving information sent across a war zone.

  • “When you read, you realize that you are not alone. There were useful tips on food and water. Plus resources are useful, such as psychological messages, links.”

    Ukrainian FemSMS recipient

  • World's first trauma-informed compassionate SMS service built through human-centered design in a crisis zone.

  • Ending information poverty while promoting compassion, belonging, and resilience.

  • Over 800 women across Ukraine and the region have received up to 9 iteratively tested texts.

  • Over 90% found the messages either “extremely” or “very” useful.

  • 79% remember feeling supported when they read the messages. They also felt: cared for, informed, and in solidarity.

  • Best practices in feminist programming, human-centered design and participatory research.

  • Theories of compassion and connection increase feelings of belonging, resilience, and agency in crisis situations.

  • Trauma-informed messages ensure feelings of safety and psychological support

  • 75% of recipients relayed SMS messages to others.

  • First scaled-up trauma-informed compassionate SMS service for women in a war zone built through collaborative design, meeting vital needs as they arise.

Press & Media

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*Data are generated through 3 trials with surveyed participants from Ukraine. In Ukraine thus far 20% of recipients have been surveyed online or in a telephone interview.

Compassionate Collaborators

Contact us for more information

footageproject.org