Durban – 13 March 2025

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Honourable Thamsanqa Ntuli, convened a high-level brainstorming session this morning with key stakeholders from the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector to explore digital solutions for combating Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). The session, held in response to the growing crisis of GBVF, particularly affecting students in higher learning institutions, aimed to leverage technology to strengthen intervention efforts and enhance support systems.

The engagement followed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration of GBVF as a national pandemic, acknowledging its alarming rise and the urgent need for innovative, technology-driven solutions.

Leveraging Technology to Strengthen GBVF Response

Premier Ntuli emphasized the critical role of digital initiatives in addressing GBVF by improving access to emergency assistance, legal support, and awareness campaigns. He highlighted the provincial government’s commitment to harnessing ICT solutions to create safer communities and ensure swift intervention in GBVF cases.

“We must explore innovative ways to use technology as a weapon against GBVF. Digital platforms can provide immediate access to support services, real-time emergency assistance, and critical legal resources for victims, particularly students and young women who are vulnerable to abuse,” said Premier Ntuli.

Key Discussions and Collaborative Efforts

The brainstorming session focused on developing and integrating technology-driven solutions into the province’s GBVF response framework. Key topics included:
• Tech-based emergency response systems – Exploring real-time mobile applications and alert platforms for victims in distress.
• Digital awareness campaigns – Strengthening online engagement to educate communities on GBVF prevention.
• AI-driven safety monitoring – Implementing artificial intelligence to track and report high-risk areas for targeted interventions.
• Public-private partnerships – Enhancing collaboration between the ICT industry, business sector, and government to drive digital transformation in GBVF prevention.

The Premier commended the business sector and ICT industry for their willingness to partner with the government in developing TechServy Systems, a technology-based tool designed to combat GBVF through data-driven interventions, real-time tracking, and enhanced accessibility of support services.

Commitment to Action

The provincial government reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to working with ICT stakeholders to implement sustainable, tech-driven GBVF solutions. Premier Ntuli stressed that leveraging technology is no longer optional but essential in tackling the crisis effectively.

“This session marks the beginning of a long-term strategy to integrate ICT innovations into our fight against GBVF. Our government is dedicated to ensuring that every victim has access to immediate help, every perpetrator is held accountable, and every community is safer through digital transformation,” he said.

The meeting concluded with stakeholders agreeing on practical steps to fast-track the development and implementation of digital safety solutions across KwaZulu-Natal, reinforcing the province’s proactive stance against GBVF.

Issued by the Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal