Digital ‘panic button’ system to help fight domestic violence

The government will roll out a digital ‘panic button’ system to help domestic violence victims quickly alert security agencies and receive emergency assistance.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced the initiative during a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) manifesto consultation at the Ramada Hotel on Wednesday, describing it as part of a broader strategy to strengthen protections for women and vulnerable groups.

“There is now a digital button that we’re investing in that is connected to a central database, and once we have persons who would have made a report, we give them one such digital button and with the press of a button, the security forces…will be able to know that they are in danger, where they are, and send support to help for them,” he explained.

Fighting domestic violence is among the key priorities outlined in a summary document distributed at the event.

Ali also announced plans to launch a special funding programme to help women and persons with disabilities access capital more easily.

“You have specific ideas, specific programmes to target these various groups. We want to ensure that our brothers and sisters living with different forms of disability that they are involved in the active economic life of our country,” he posited.

The government, he said, has invested significantly in supporting persons with disabilities over the past five years, including two grant schemes—one for children and another for adults—costing nearly $1 billion in total.

It also commissioned a state-of-the-art business centre for persons living with disabilities in Palmyra, Berbice.

Ali further committed to implementing targeted initiatives to support youth development in areas such as sports, education, housing, and civic and political participation.

According to the proposed document, the administration plans to introduce specific incentives to increase employment opportunities, support youth entrepreneurship, and improve access to affordable housing.

“So, this philosophy of inclusion is one that will guide everything that we do. It will guide the strategies for job creation, improving livelihoods, expanding economic opportunity, and involving young people in this new economy that we’re building,” the head of state noted. (Reworked from DPI)