THE Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has proposed a new mobile application to facilitate the quick reporting of gender-based violence (GBV).

Opposition spokesperson on gender, persons with disabilities, and inclusion, Denise Daley on Tuesday told the House of Representatives that the party will introduce the app when it is elected to form Government.

Making her contribution to the 2025/26 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives Daley declared that it is time to move beyond talk and act to deal with the vexing issue of GBV.

Pointing to the 2016 Women’s Health Survey, which reported that one in four Jamaican females, age 15 to 64, will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime, Daley argued that, “Our mothers, our daughters, and our sisters cannot wait any longer.”

Daley added: “We have written press releases, held press conferences, and even strengthened legislation for gender-based violence [but] it is time now to move to people-centred solutions that touch the lives of those who inflict violence and those who suffer from its trauma.

“Even beyond traditional forms of gender-based violence, in today’s digital world women are being followed, tracked and harassed. We are hearing reports of smartphone-stalking where women’s locations are being monitored without their consent.”

The Member of Parliament for St Catherine Eastern told the House that addressing GBV requires the ability to quickly make a connection with someone who can, and will help.

“There needs to be a means by which victims can quickly reach out for help,” argued Daley.

“Upon assuming office we will develop a mobile app for quick reporting of gender-based violence. The app will utilise geolocation technology to determine the location of the incident remotely,” added Daley.

She pointed out that geolocation technology utilises Wi-Fi, cellular networks, cell towers, and Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to determine a person’s location.

“The effectiveness of this app will mean efficient monitoring to ensure the privacy of the information provided. The confidentiality of the victims’ data must be prioritised. Effective implementation will require political will, leadership, and people who will ensure the app continues to function properly,” said Daley.

According to Daley, the mobile app to be introduced by the PNP will be geared towards replacing existing measures for combating GBV.

“Rather, it aims to supplement and enhance these measures, including reporting cyberstalking.”

Daley stated that a national public education campaign would be undertaken to make sure women, and men, understand their rights and protections.

“We will also make sure that education — which encourages boys and girls to live in mutual respect and harmony with each other — begins at the basic school level and is carried through to high school.

“Children have to be taught how to speak up and seek help when needed. This will give our children the tools to protect themselves,” said Daley.

She added that a PNP Government will use predictive analytics to identify and monitor high-risk areas and hot spots for gender-based violence.

“This means creating and using data to determine where attacks are most likely to occur — whether due to poor lighting, inadequate policing, or known patterns of criminal activity”.

According to Daley, the PNP will also conduct a comprehensive review of all gender-related laws to make sure they are being effectively implemented and enforced.