AURA, South Africa’s leading security and medical response platform, will be hosting a live webinar on 24 November 2020 to address the role that technology plays in addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Taking place ahead of the 16 Days of Activism For No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, AURA is hoping to emphasise the role that technology can play when addressing GBV, the solutions that already exist, and how they have the potential to change the response times and impact on victim safety.
Warren Myers, CEO, AURA says that the webinar will include AURA, as well as a carefully- selected panel to discuss a new roadmap for technology and its role in addressing GBV:
Vumacam – Ricky Croock – Chief Executive Officer Vumacam and Imfezeko
TEARS – Mara Glennie – Founder
Uber – Unam Mahlati – Snr Operations & Logistics Manager Marketplace, for Uber SSA
“We are proud to be working alongside such an esteemed panel on such an important issue in our country. GBV statistics in South Africa confirm that women are disproportionately affected by violence and it is apparent that more needs to be done to combat this crisis. By addressing the role technology plays, AURA hopes to find more ways in which the country can fight this insidious trend leaving the majority of women in the country feeling unsafe,” says Myers.
According to research, South Africa is reported as the country with the highest rape statistics in the world. When you consider that only one in nine women report a sexual offense, the realistic number is far higher. Making matters worse, the SA Medical Research Council says that one in four South African men have admitted to committing rape.
“It’s dire,” says Myers. “We need to act now and use what we know best, and, in this webinar, we believe that technology will greatly assist potential victims. We want to look at how we can make security more widely accessible, how it can help the vulnerable and improve the current situation while addressing the landscape of GBV in South Africa and ensuring we understand it better.”
Joining Myers on the panel is Ricky Croock, CEO of Vumacam and Imfezeko. Croock has used his vast experience in proactive crime prevention to operate Vumacam – the country’s most extensive, controlled network of surveillance cameras. Thousands of apprehensions have been successful as crimes in progress (and potential crimes) are flagged and escalated to private security companies and law enforcement who respond swiftly.
With these outcomes, Croock has the first-hand experience of just how powerful technology can be in curbing crime and violence. “Women in South Africa suffer both the greatest threat and lack of support where GBV is involved. If we can be a guardian in preventing GBV or helping to apprehend perpetrators, we believe we will be able to significantly impact one of the most unacceptable faces of crime in our country,” he says.
Uber sub-Saharan Africa, Snr Operations & Logistics Manager, Unam Mahlati, also joins the panel. Growing up in South Africa, Mahlati has a passion for social impact and using technology to provide solutions to communities. In her role, she looks after new additions to Uber’s product portfolio and can thus discuss and consider the role technology plays in improving safety when moving around from A to B.
The final panelist is Mara Glennie, founder of TEARS, a women-led organisation that provides a support network for victims of rape and abuse. With an aim to enable victims of rape and sexual abuse to find the assistance, comfort and compassion they need, Mara’s input will be invaluable for these companies looking to make a difference. She is passionate about women’s rights and the fact that, despite South Africa’s progressive laws and many studies done on violence against women in South Africa, women still have very little protection.
The webinar takes place on Tuesday 24 November from 11H00 to 12h00. Register now and play your part in making a difference during 2020s 16 Days of Activism.