Four apps women can use to protect themselves from gender-based violence
JOBURG – Mthobisi Dladla from the communication's office of HK strategies offered four apps that South African women can use to protect themselves against gender-based violence at the swipe of a button.
Gender-based violence (GBV) has seen an increase since the lockdown was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
During Ramaphosa’s Covid-19 presidential address on 18 June this year, it was revealed that about 3 000 women fall victim to GBV in South Africa every year.
Mthobisi Dladla from the communication’s office of HK strategies offered the below four apps that South African women could use to protect themselves against gender-based violence at the press of a button:
Crime Spotter
Crime Spotter is a free crime reporting and local alert app designed to make life easier for potential victims, but harder for criminals through fast distribution to and trending of local crimes. In South Africa’s case, this includes cases of femicide, human trafficking and pedophilic predators. All crimes reported are mapped to a location and added to a central searchable database that is public and available to all users of the system.
EskomSePush – The Load Shedding Notifier App
With loadshedding becoming an infamous norm, it is important that women know when and how to prepare for loadshedding within their areas. EskomSePush provides multiple communities across South Africa with official times and dates of when loadshedding is set to occur. This app is quite important for women (both old and young) as many criminals have begun to use loadshedding as a time to commit crimes – especially towards the evening.
Namola
Namola is a live tracking, mobile safety app that allows civilians to receive swift help during emergency situations. Within excess of more than 450 assaults being recorded daily in SA, the app is a place where users can request help from public emergency services such as the South African Police Service (SAPS), security companies, fire and rescue, an ambulance, as well as their listed loved ones.
Kickboxing
The app has a group fitness class that combines martial arts techniques with fast-paced cardio. The best part about this application is that it provides users with beginner, intermediate and advanced classes, depending on the individual’s skill level. With women being forced to become their own superheroes, it is necessary to provide them with the right skills and tools.
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