Journalist develops app to keep abused women and children safe
Jody Hendricks, well known radio presenter and journalist, attended an app developing course when he decided to make this count for the greater community. His app helps women and children find places of temporary safety when in danger.
The radio journalist and editor of #justjody, Jody Hendricks, developed an app in the fight against violence to women and children.
The app was launched last week at the start of the 16 Days of Activism.
Hendricks said he attended an app developing course and created this app as a result of the course.
According to Hendricks, he came to realise during his work as a journalist that battered women stay in abusive relationships because they do not have anywhere else to go.
Financial dependency is often also a reason they cannot get out of such relationships, Hendricks said.
To help such women seek safety when they need it most, Hendricks developed the app, making safe havens more available. The app lists the nearest safe havens and places of protection for women and children, with the contact details.
Hendricks says this is a practical way to make the lives of abused women and children a little easier.
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign is a United Nations campaign which takes place annually from 25 November (International Day of No Violence against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day).
Given the scourge of gender-based violence in the country, government is implementing the Emergency Response Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, which was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in September 2019.
During the 16 days period, the government with civil society and the private sector will host a series of community and sector dialogues and activities to foster a collaborative effort in dealing with gender-based violence.
It is, however, asked whether campaigns like these really help curb violence against women and children, as there is no significant change in the statistics.
Dr Erika Hitge, a pastoral counsellor of Johannesburg, said that “campaigns help us to stay aware of the issue and that it should therefore not be cancelled”.
Hendricks explained to Izak du Plessis why he developed the app and how exactly it works.
WATCH: Journalist develops app to keep abused women and children safe
Read original story on rekordeast.co.za
