The MEC said the initiative was aimed at assisting victims who may not be safe in their homes during the lockdown.
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.
This was announced on Tuesday by MEC of Transport, Safety and Liaison, Nontobeko Vilakazi, together with the Civilian Secretariat of Police and the Provincial Community Police Board.
Vilakazi said police stations in the Province would receive 20 units for distribution to beneficiaries as the programme was rolled-out.
“The roll-out of the campaign will be implemented within the 30 high priority police stations in the Province in accordance with the Ministerial Action Plan of 2019. After the launch in Kimberley, the programme will be launched in other regions in the Province,” said Vilakazi.
She said the initiative was aimed at assisting victims who may not be safe in their homes during the lockdown.
“There is a thing that remains a relentless deepening sore on the face of our society and that is the fact that some women are not safe in their own homes or streets. 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,” she said.
She urged the 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 kept silent for years. Our voices need to rise as women with the realisation that we are worthy and deserving of respect,” Vilakazi said.
