App launched to combat violence
To drive positive change in the ongoing fight against violence in communities, the Distress application (D-App) was launched by justice minister Yvonne Dausab at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) on Wednesday.
The app was launched in honour of the late Delia Weimers-Maasdorp, who was murdered less than two weeks ago in what is suspected to be a gender-based violence (GBV) incident and who was the university’s industry contracts analyst in the directorate of research, innovation and partnerships (DRIP).
The D-App is an initiative of Professor Gloria Iyawa, NUST’s Unesco chair for gender and digital technologies.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Colin Stanley, DRIP acting deputy vice-chancellor, said: “We are using the tools at our disposal to raise awareness, subsequently helping curb violence that continuously rips through society – tearing families apart and leaving communities broken”.
Immediate access
He added that D-App offers immediate access to essential resources. This includes features like emergency help, counselling services and community support – all designed with privacy and ease of use in mind, he said.
The launch of the app underscores NUST's dedication to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all members of its community, he noted. It further encourages victims of violence, regardless of their background or circumstance, to know that they have access to the support they need, Stanley said.
Speaking at the launch, Dausab urged society to do its part in combatting violence, citing late president Hage Geingob’s remarks at the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women last November: “As a nation, we must strive to create an environment in which survivors feel safe to come forward. Where perpetrators are held accountable for their actions. And where support services are readily available to build a Namibia where the scourge of violence against women becomes a distant memory”.
The app was launched in honour of the late Delia Weimers-Maasdorp, who was murdered less than two weeks ago in what is suspected to be a gender-based violence (GBV) incident and who was the university’s industry contracts analyst in the directorate of research, innovation and partnerships (DRIP).
The D-App is an initiative of Professor Gloria Iyawa, NUST’s Unesco chair for gender and digital technologies.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Colin Stanley, DRIP acting deputy vice-chancellor, said: “We are using the tools at our disposal to raise awareness, subsequently helping curb violence that continuously rips through society – tearing families apart and leaving communities broken”.
Immediate access
He added that D-App offers immediate access to essential resources. This includes features like emergency help, counselling services and community support – all designed with privacy and ease of use in mind, he said.
The launch of the app underscores NUST's dedication to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all members of its community, he noted. It further encourages victims of violence, regardless of their background or circumstance, to know that they have access to the support they need, Stanley said.
Speaking at the launch, Dausab urged society to do its part in combatting violence, citing late president Hage Geingob’s remarks at the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women last November: “As a nation, we must strive to create an environment in which survivors feel safe to come forward. Where perpetrators are held accountable for their actions. And where support services are readily available to build a Namibia where the scourge of violence against women becomes a distant memory”.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article