Victims of gender-based violence will now be able to sound the alarm with the distribution of 600 Memeza personal alarms in the Northern Cape.
The MEC of Transport, Safety and Liaison, Nontobeko Vilakazi, together with the Civilian Secretariat of Police and the Provincial Community Police Board launched the outreach campaign on Tuesday, 19 May, in Kimberley.
It will see the distribution of alarms to victims of gender-based violence across the province.
Vilakazi said the initiative was aimed at assisting victims who may not be safe in their homes during the lockdown.
The fact that some women are not safe in their own homes remains a relentless deepening sore on the face of our society, she said.
“We have become known as a society with high levels of gender-based violence and rape.
“Government, with the assistance of all law enforcement agencies, Community Police Forums (CPF) and safety structures in our communities need to set the tone by providing our steadfast commitment to the safety needs of our communities,” Vilakazi said.
She urged victims of gender-based violence to make good use of the system in order to get assistance.
“The Memeza alarm system will enable women to access help in those times when they need it.
“We hope it will go a long way in assisting our response to violence during the lockdown period.
“We are starting to fight against the shame of gender-based violence that has been kept silent for years.
“Our voices need to rise as women with the realisation that we are worthy and deserving of respect,” Vilakazi said.
