Award for state anti-gender violence initiative

THE DEPARTMENT of Social Development’s Gender- Based Violence Command Centre has won an international award in Las Vegas, US.

The command centre, a 24-hour call centre providing support and counselling to victims of gender-based violence, was given an award for the best technology innovation on Thursday.

Acting cabinet spokeswoman Phumla Williams said the government was honoured by the recognition, which showed its commitment to rooting out violence against women and children.

“The government will continue its fight against the scourge of women abuse through various initiatives such as this centre. The centre enables every abused South African an opportunity to seek help and free themselves from the clutches of perpetrators.”

Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini was delighted. “The international recognition... communicates the South African government’s commitment to fighting gender-based violence to the rest of the world, and places the country at the lead of international best practice against gender-based violence.”

Williams said the uniqueness of the centre lay in its use of mobile technology to esti- mate the location of a victim, assign the closest social worker in the field , and record and receive continuous feedback.

“This enables a quick response from, among others, the police, medical assistance, as well as social service.”

The award comes a few weeks before the country’s annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign. – ANA