Department of Social Development Gender Based Violence Command Centre wins another award
The Department of Social Development Gender Based Violence (GBV) Command Centre has been awarded the Changing Lives Award at the 2014 AfricaCom Awards on November 12.
Aimed at promoting digital excellence in Africa, the 2014 AfricaCom Awards focused the categories on innovation and relevance to market needs. The categories celebrated the breakthroughs and most influential players shaping the telecoms / ICT sector.
The Department of Social Development Gender Based Violence Command Centre, which operates through a toll free number 0800 428 428 (0800 GBV GBV), was launched in March 2014 and provides support and counselling to victims of gender based violence.
It allows social worker agents to provide telephonic support and counselling and can direct the victim’s case to a social worker close to them. Callers can also request a social worker from the Command Centre to contact them by dialling *120*7867# (free) from any cell phone.
This is the second top award it has received since its launch. In August the Centre was awarded the Best Technology Innovation award by the Contact Centre Management Group (CCMG) in recognition of it being the first integrated technology of its kind in terms of Social Service Delivery in South Africa and arguably in the developing world.
The eradication of the widespread and under-reported gender-based violence in our country is a high humanitarian and social priority and requires a concerted effort from everyone. Research indicates that victims of gender-based violence might not have adequate access to and might not be effectively supported by social services.
The Gender Based Violence Command Centre empowers victims, a staggering 71 percent of the women of this country, with the necessary psychosocial support to rebuild their lives. The Centre is also premised on the belief that this service model offers help, hope and the chance of a better life to victims of gender-based abuse, even in the remotest and most underdeveloped areas of South Africa.
The Gender Based Violence Command Centre was recognised for effectively addresses these issues.
The Vodacom Foundation sponsored the development of the technology used by the Department of Social Development Gender Based Violence Command Centre. The resulting integrated solution was developed by Vodacom in collaboration with its subsidiaries Afrigis and Mezzanine. The Command Centre is hosted by Advance Call.
Media inquiries:
Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: lumkao@dsd.gov.za
