Group sensitizes women on ICT imperatives for checking domestic violence

Organization for Public Awareness on Child and Women Rights (OPACTS), has charged women to use their smart phones as tools for checking domestic violence.

Executive Director of the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Ayoola Olusegun, gave the charge while sensitizing women in rural communities of Osun State to alternative means of checking violence against women.

Olusegun said since smart phones work in rural communities as well as in cities, women should take advantage of its features to address domestic violence.

According to her, the aim of the sensitization was to expose targeted groups to better application of modern technology to eradicate instances of gender based violence.

She urged women to always use their smart phones to record instances of violence against them and children and send same to appropriate authorities for expedited action.

Olusegun explained that Android phones, in most cases, were under-utilized and as such, needed to be fully understood in order for it to be employed in checking domestic violence.

“There is need for further education on Android application for better results on reportage of domestic violence and abuses in the communities”, she said.

She added that the programme found a parallel in the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day celebration: ‘Digital innovation and Technology for Gender Equality’.

According to her, Section 4(I)(ii) and (iii) of Osun State Protection Against Domestic Violence Law, 2013 gives a third party the right to lodge complaints against perpetrators of domestic violence in the state without the question of locus standi being a hindrance.

The Executive Director encouraged women to move with times and get connected to the digital space, as this would enable them further the cause of ending violence against women.

She also said it would help them contribute meaningfully to the economic and social development of their communities, state and country at large.

Mr. Ayodeji Adesua, the NGO’s Information Technology Officer, sensitised the women on the techniques of using smart phones to record videos, take pictures, send SMS and WhatsApp chats to report incidences of violence to appropriate authorities without the knowledge of the perpetrators.

The programme, which took place in Ojo villages and towns in Egbedore Local Government Area of the state, was held to commemorate International Women’s Day and was supported by the FORD Foundation.