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By PHEPHILE MOTAU | 2024-01-10
The government is setting up a gender-based violence information management system (GBVIMS).
The system will assist government to strengthen the collection and collation of GBV data, specifically on reported cases at all police stations.
This will help ensure the national response to GBV is better informed about its prevalence, affected geographical areas, population groups and the most common types of GBV being reported. The data will also be available in real time.
According to the Principal Secretary in the office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Melusi Masuku, violence continues to be a significant health and human rights concern in the country.
This has prompted national initiatives to prevent and address violence. He said the DPM’s office; specifically the Department of Gender and Family Issues, is leading in the development of the national GBVMIS.
Masuku was speaking yesterday when the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) presented 20 desktop computers worth over E596 300.17 (US$32 067.76) to the Deputy Prime Minister’s office, which will be given to police stations around the country to be used for GBV cases.
The presentation was made by the UNFPA Head of Office, Margaret Thwala-Tembe, to Masuku and the police who were presented by Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Simelane.
Masuku added that the purpose of the system was meant to improve the systematic collection and compilation of GBV data from all partners, consolidating it at a central point for efficient reporting, monitoring and timely dissemination. The reports will inform interventions in a timely manner.
Launched
The government further aims to find ways to finance the recently launched national strategy to end violence from 2023-2027. This strategy will be heavily informed by data from the partners benefitting from the support received from the UNFPA.
“The government expresses gratitude for support from the UNFPA especially in achieving the zero GBV targets set for 2025.
The government hopes that this partnership will continue to thrive, leading to the realisation of these aspirations and ultimately fostering freedoms within communities and society, enabling people to live without fear of violence and abuse,” Masuku said.
Thwala-Tembe said the system would strengthen the country’s GBV programming by allowing service providers to protect client confidentiality and ensure clients maintain control of their information.
She said service providers would also use aggregate anonymous data to inform programming and other advocacy efforts aimed at ending GBV and further provide a mechanism for organisations to practice higher standards of data collection.
Thwala-Tembe also said the system would accelerate Eswatini’s results on many fronts, in particular by improving the visibility of the results withon the framework of the EU-funded Spotlight Initiative.
She said the Spotlight Initiative was the world’s largest effort to end violence against women and girls.
She said the main aim of the initiative was to ensure that all women and girls, especially those who were marginalised and vulnerable, lived free from violence and harmful practices.
Thwala-Tembe said the system also aligned well with the National development Plan’s (NDP) outcome on digital infrastructure and services.
She further said data was critical for the GBV prevention response as it facilitate evidence-based planning and contributes to timely handling of GBV cases.
“As a lead agency in population data, UNFPA stands ready to provide the necessary technical support to ensure a successful GBVIMS that leaves no one behind,” she said.
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