INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day is the perfect opportunity for South Africans to renew their commitment to the safety of women and daughters, says a local security company.
This annual day is commemorated on 8 March, with the theme this year #PressForProgress – a strong call to motivate and unite friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive.
“We believe a big part of this also involves a refreshed drive to ensure that any sort of crime against women is rooted out. We should use days such as this to remind ourselves that we must do more to make life more secure for women,” said Ivan Govender, district manager for Fidelity ADT in KwaZulu-Natal.
Criminals often see women as vulnerable and easy targets and Govender recommends remaining vigilant and to never let one’s guard down so as to avoid becoming a crime statistic. The key to safety is always to err on the side of caution.
Govender offers tips to ensure women are safe. One such tip is that women should always trust their instincts. “Women have great intuition and should listen to their instincts. If someone or something makes you feel uneasy, avoid the individual and leave the area.”
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Make contact with your private security service provider and ask them if they offer a mobile panic alarm service, which could be downloaded to your mobile phone.
Tell someone where you are going and the time you expect to return. Save to your mobile phone or memorise the details of the person to be contacted in the event of an emergency.
“Be aware of people around you when heading to your vehicle, especially at places such as shopping centres, petrol stations, and the likes. Ensure that you take a moment to check the street before pulling into a driveway.”
If you are driving, the first thing to do once you are inside your vehicle is to ensure that all the doors are locked. Never drive with a handbag or any other valuable items on a seat or in the view of anyone looking into your vehicle from the outside. Try and make your car a mobile-free zone so you can concentrate on your surroundings.
“I encourage women to not only use these tips, but to share them with family and friends. In this way we can help make a positive difference in the fight against crime and keep our women safe,” Govender said.
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