Guyana launches app offering gender-based violence assistance

(Left to right) Former UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Mikiko Tanaka; Ambassador of the European Union to Guyana, H.E Fernando Ponz Cantó; His Excellency, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali and  Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud during the symbolic launch of the GBV Services Guide App for Guyana to support the delivery of information to GBV survivors and persons at risk of GBV on available GBV support services and where to access such services
January 22, 2022

GEORGETOWN, Guyana -  People seeking assistance or resources related to gender-based violence (GBV) can now access services with the click of a button, thanks to the official launch of Guyana's iMatter application. The app gives users direct access to the country's 914 toll-free domestic abuse hotline and became available on both Google Play (as iMatter) and Apple Store (as iMattergy) on 22 January.

Created in March 2021, iMatter is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the Guyana Spotlight Initiative. Its creation involved local GBV activist Akola Thompson, while Techlify Inc. built the app under the guidance of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

“The App is part of the continuing work we are doing to tackle domestic violence," said Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud. 

"I wanted to ensure that persons out there have multiple ways to reach out for help. Putting the panic button in the app was something I insisted on. The team working on the app spared no effort to review and revise to have a user-friendly app that contains information and educational resources that will appeal to all ages and needs.

"I appeal to persons living in violent situations to get onto 914, either by phone or app, because you matter to us and we do not want to see continued acts of violence that leave death, pain and scars in their wake. I encourage people to have every member of their family download the iMatter App. Let’s save lives and stop the violence.”

"I encourage people to have every member of their family download the iMatter App. Let’s save lives and stop the violence.” - Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud

How the App works

After downloading iMatter from the app store, users select the region where they live to access relevant educational information on gender-based violence and to find support services.

Information can be accessed by categories, which include sexual violence and disability, sexual exploitation and abuse, trafficking in persons, domestic violence, child abuse and elder abuse. The application also contains useful resources and answers to frequently asked questions to help users better understand GBV.

Dedicated GBV caseworkers assigned to the platform respond to survivors or at-risk individuals using the communication channel that the user has expressed a preference for.

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