A consortium of organizations has developed an online application for reporting gender-based violence (GBV) in Homa Bay County.
The App, dubbed Dignity App, enables residents to report GBV cases real time and help in the fight against the menace.
According to Eunice Awino, an official of an organization called Centre for Women Empowerment in Technology, the App will curb delays in taking interventions against GBV.
Awino noted that GBV was a serious vice in Homa Bay County but unfortunately, many incidents went unreported to the authorities.
According to the coordinator of GBV activities in the county Health Department Michael Ochola, the prevalence of physical GBV was at 54.5 per cent while sexual related violence stood at 23 per cent.
He noted that those who suffer sexual GBV were prone to contracting HIV/Aids or fall victim of teenage pregnancies adding that it was important to come up with interventions to curb the menace.
He said that when a GBV incident report has been made through the Dignity App, relevant authorities will follow up and make interventions.
The Application was launched today at Kadongo Trading Center in Rachuonyo East Sub- County in a ceremony graced by Prof Pamela Raburu of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
Caren Okombo of “Power for the People African Trust”, an organization that is a member of the consortium, said the App was a game changer.
She said the application has the components of education and reporting which enabled residents to report incidents whenever their rights are violated noting that this would enable survivors get justice.
“We will use the App to ensure the GBV incidents are reported to law enforcement agencies for legal action. This will discourage the vice,” Ms Okombo said.
She said the education components of application will sensitize users on their rights. “Once an incident has been reported, we will assess the survivor’s condition and intervene in cases where there is need,” Okombo said.
She said the App prevents victimisation of GBV whistle blowers as it allows people to report the incidents anonymously.
“Through anonymous reporting, the App will encourage many people to report the cases since this cushions them from victimization,” Okombo said.
Prof. Raburu said the application will protect the girl child in the area by reducing teenage pregnancies.
She said interventions to promote education of girls in the county should be given a top priority.
By Davis Langat
