THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), recently launched a mobile application to assist in its mandate to eliminate violence and abuse across Guyana.

According to Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud, the gender-based violence referral application will be available on all android devices, and is in the process of being approved for the iOS app store.

“The App lists the various gender-based violence service providers in all 10 administrative regions and provides yet another alternative mechanism to address the needs of gender-based violence survivors; individuals at risk of gender-based violence; individuals directly affected by gender-based violence; and members of the public who may be seeking to support individuals within their communities,” she highlighted during a press briefing with members of the media on Friday last.

The application was developed under the Spotlight Initiative, with US$11,700 budgeted to support its development and rollout.
“What this does, is it allows persons who have the app on their phones to link to all of our services, every one of them, also information. So it’s taking technology and using it in such a way that is helpful across the country. It’s also tapping into the population of young people who are always using their phones, and this is our way of complementing the whole movement in dealing with violence and abuse,” Minister Persaud detailed, in a briefing with various media houses.

“So we have 914 and we have the app. We will be rolling out more programmes, for support, in terms of advocacy. The advocacy programme is also there, and we’re hoping to have those persons placed across all of the regions, so when you call in, it’s not only someone on the other end of the line; you would have personal support for your issues, so that people can walk you through it,” she expressed.

These issues include access to justice; assistance in sourcing a lawyer; information on court and court-related issues; financial support and training programmes within the ministry.

The Gender Based Violence (GBV) Services Guide App is a complementary support mechanism funded by the United Nations Population Fund, and will be made available on all app stores by March 24, 2020.