“The overall quality of the entries this year surpassed expectation,” commented Adam Thompson, Research Manager, Informa Telecoms & Media. “The innovation taking place in the digital ecosystem across the entire continent is heartening and also world class. Many are leaders in their fields and pioneers of new technology and services answering the needs of emerging markets that more traditional markets can and should take note of.” The Department of Social Development’s (DSD) Gender Based Violence Command Centre (GBV CC), powered by AfriGIS solutions, won the Changing Lives Award. This special award recognises an inspiring initiative that has significantly impacted African telecommunications in the community and contributed to economic and social development.

 

Gender Based Violence (GBV) and the effects thereof is an ongoing struggle in South Africa. It speaks to the very core of our society and poses tremendous challenges in terms of economic-growth and poverty-reduction efforts. The GBV CC solution represents the first integrated technology of its kind in terms of Social Service Delivery in South Africa and arguably in the developing world.

 

The GBV CC makes use of mobile technology to estimate the location of a victim, record and receive continuous feedback on cases. When a victim calls the GBVCC from a mobile phone, the caller (with explicit permission) can be geographically located, enabling the GBVCC to determine the victim’s closest resources. The GBV CC records the particulars and assigns the closest social worker to the case. The social worker then receives a case ticket on his/her mobile device, displaying the information captured by the GBVCC, and, through the specially developed application, the social worker provides feedback to the GBV CC.

 

The main purpose of the Gender Based Violence Command Centre is to empower victims, a staggering 71 percent of the women of this country, with the necessary psychosocial support to rebuild their lives. The GBV CC service model offers help, hope and the chance of a better life to the victims of gender-based abuse, even in the remotest and most underdeveloped corners of South Africa.

 

In August 2014 the GBV CC was also recognised by The Contact Centre Management Group (CCMG), the professional body of the contact centre industry in South Africa, where they presented the command centre in Pretoria the Best Technology Innovation Award. The CCMG rewards excellence in recognition and celebration of the contact centre industry, through its annual awards.

 

The Vodacom Foundation sponsored the development of the technology used by the Department of Social Development Gender Based Violence Command Centre. The resulting integrated solution was developed by Vodacom in collaboration with its subsidiaries AfriGIS and Mezzanine, with the Command Centre hosted by Advance Call.

 

Related links:

http://www.africacomawards.com/
http://www.bizcommunity.com/Print.aspx?l=410&c=40&ct=1&ci=121316
http://www.itnewsafrica.com/2014/11/2014-africacom-award-winners-revealed/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+itnewsafrica+(ITNewsAfrica.com)
http://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/victim-call-centre-receives-award
http://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/gender-based-violence-command-centre-wins-award
http://196.35.231.118/afrigis_2015/gender-based-violence-command-centre-wins-award/