Vodacom condemns attacks on foreign nationals and widespread gender-based violence

Violence against women and young girls threatens to reverse the strides made in gender equality

JOHANNESBURG - Vodacom condemns in the strongest possible terms the attacks against foreign nationals currently affecting Gauteng province. The company also strongly condemns continued gender-based violence against women and young girls, one of the greatest social ills of our time that threatens to reverse the strides made in gender equality. Statistics show that a woman is murdered in South Africa every four hours.

Takalani Netshitenzhe, Chief Officer: Corporate Affairs, at Vodacom said: “For us at Vodacom we view violence against women as a violation of human rights and the greatest impediment towards gender equality. Addressing gender-based violence requires urgent collaboration from all South Africans and Africans. Whether young or old, men and women, whatever race, rank, age, gender or social class, and more especially in the digital age, gender-based violence knows no borders. It is one of the greatest social ills of our time.

“We also condemn the criminal attacks on foreign nationals. This violence jeopardises economic co-operation on the continent and damages both unity and solidarity among African states.

In partnership with government, Vodacom is working hard to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, including trafficking and sexual exploitation. This aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 5 of the UN SDGs.

Vodacom appeals to victims of gender-based violence to contact our Gender-based Violence Command Centre, which provides support to victims and survivors of abuse. The GBV Command Centre represents the first technology of its kind in South Africa. The Centre operates a national 24/7 call centre facility and employs professional social workers, some of whom are skilled in sign language for those requiring it.

To date the Centre has received more than 400 000 calls and more than 250 000 USSDs and SMS.

The Centre can be reached as follows:

• By dialing 0800 428 428 or via USSD on *120*7867#. 
• A Skype line ‘HelpMeGBV’ for members of the Deaf Community. 
• An SMS-based line ‘31531’ for people with disabilities. (SMS Help to 31531).  

The Centre is able to refer calls directly to SAPS (10111) and field Social Workers who respond victims of gender-based violence.