BY DELISA THWALA
MANZINI– Since the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPM) announced its Toll-free Child helpline for reporting any form of abuse, they have since received impressive feedback.
The impressive feedback is in the form of more people calling and reporting abuse, meaning the office’s plan to help the Government of Eswatini eradicate abuse and other gender-based violence is working.
According to a well-placed source, the number of calls received since going live was over 100 documents about the records cannot be revealed without compromising the confidentiality of the survivors.
The DPMO introduced this free line four days ago on their social media platforms where they mentioned that everyone was allowed to call at no charge.
According to the Internet, Toll-free numbers are telephone numbers with distinct three-digit codes that can be dialed from landlines at no charge to the person placing the call.
Such numbers allow callers to reach businesses and individuals out of the area without being charged a long-distance fee for the call.
Meanwhile, the DPM who has always been an advocate for gender-based violence (GBV) said it was impressive that people spoke out and sought help.
“Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world. It knows no social, economic, or national boundaries and it undermines the health, dignity, security, and autonomy of its victims, yet it remains shrouded in a culture of silence. “ Victims of violence can suffer sexual and reproductive health consequences, including forced and unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections including HIV, and even death. Worldwide, an estimated one in three women will experience physical or sexual abuse in her lifetime,” he said.
