Google App launched to help women survivors of gender-based violence

PESHAWAR: A Google App was launched on Thursday to improve the services offered to women survivors of gender-based violence.

Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan Brek Batley and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women Chairperson Neelam Toru in collaboration with a non-government organisation Blue Veins and Trocaire Pakistan launched the app at a seminar arranged here in connection of the International Women's Day which is marked on March 8.

The seminar was organized by Blue Veins in collaboration with the KPCSW under a project "Policy advocacy and research to strengthen implementation of pro-women legislation and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) response services in KP" with assistance from the Australian Government and Trócaire.

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. It will provide useful information on pro-women laws and approaching KPCSW for help. In his address to the seminar, John O'Brien, Trócaire's Country Director in Pakistan, commended the innovative use of technology by through an app to support women and girls across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

"Eliminating violence against women everywhere is a priority of the Australian Government and a core part of our foreign policy and aid program. 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," said The Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan Brek Batley in his speech. He hoped the app would help improve the safety and welfare of women and girls across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.