Google App launched to curb violence against women

Australian Deputy High Commissioner, Brek Batley and Chairperson of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission for the Status of Women (KPCSW), Neelum Toru in collaboration with Blue Veins and Trocaire Pakistan, launched a Google App on Thursday to improve the services offered to women survivors of gender-based violence. The App - KPCSW that also works offline will help women report cases of violence to KPCSW with features like text, voice and video messages and MMS. The user-friendly App is free to download on Google Play Store and will provide useful information on pro-women laws and approaching KPCSW for help.
John O'Brien, Trocaire's Country Director in Pakistan, commended the innovative use of technology by the Commission to support women and girls across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Brek Batley said that the eliminating violence against women everywhere is a priority of the Australian government and a core part of our foreign policy and aid programme.
"We anticipate that this app will play a pivotal role in providing support services for survivors of gender-based violence, with information to access shelters, medical services or legal aid services. Doing so will help improve the safety and welfare of women and girls across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," he said. Neelam Toru, Chairperson KPCSW said that on International Women's Day, we reflect on the critical contributions women make in every sector of society and we recommit ourselves to addressing the discrimination and barriers that women face around the world.
Qamar Naseem, Programme Coordinator Blue Veins said that use of technology can be vital towards ending GBV. We are grateful to Trócaire for supporting this KPCSW android application which will improve KPCSW presence in the cyber space and also institution support to KPCSW under this project will increase its ability to respond to the needs of women, he added.
Meraj Hamayun Khan, Member of Provincial Assembly and Chairperson Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) said that women have come a long way when it comes to empowerment but a lot needs to be done.