12 Feb 2023

Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC), in collaboration with Commonwealth Games Federation and Women Against Rape (WAR), has launched a Game Changers campaign in Maun.

The project aims to empower boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 19 years.

Speaking during the launch, BNOC board member, Tebo Segaise, said BNOC was aware of the alarming rape statistics across the country, which placed Botswana in the top  10 around the world.

“It is therefore topical that these issues be addressed through this project and Maun is selected as the primary region to launch the project considering that it is the most affected,” she added.

The project, she said, aimed at the country’ youth of both sexes, noting that the boy child must be equally supported and equipped with necessary education surrounding sexual abuse.

Boys, she said, were as susceptible to falling prey to abuse as they were to being possible perpetrators, and as such both must be addressed.

Segaise noted that sport was an important, yet often ignored aspect of people’s lives noting that it enhanced health through physical activity.

Sport, she said, helped to create the much needed balance between body and mind, so it could be used as a conduit to addressing social ills such as rape.

By instilling confidence, improving resilience and the ability to withstand challenges, she was hopeful that rape incidents could be reduced.

Through sport, Segaise said, the campaign would also promote peace and solidarity, bringing participants together to foster harmony, friendship and build bridges between groups and communities in and around Maun.

The BNOC, she said, also partnered with WAR, Maun Senior Secondary School, Tshwaragano JSS and Sekgoma Primary School to bring the campaign into being.

She thanked institutions for coming on board and willingness to educate children about rape, violence and sexual assault issues.

“These institutions shall provide necessary education on sexual assault as well as packaging messages that are specific to different age groups. The help of guidance and counselling teachers as well as the sport departments shall play a huge role in driving the campaign mandate forward,” she noted.

WAR executive director, Peggy Ramaphan,  appreciated the project saying it would augment their efforts towards the fight against social ills amongst children noting that the recent research conducted by the organisation had shown that children aged 13 and 14 years had not started having sex while those active had been forced.

The project, she said, was important as it would help to maintain the status quo and instill confidence amongst pupils to speak out sexual health matters as well as motivate the community to support and protect children.

WAR, she said, was equally concerned about issues of rape, defilement and incest noting that some issues were brutal as kids aged below five years were sexually abused by elder men hence their partnership with BNOC to fight such ills.

Teachers, she said, were good in working with WAR as the organisation started its work in schools through formation of clubs which educated pupils on life skills, skills to speak out when violence happens in their lives and to teach them about where to get assistance.

“I am hopeful that through this partnership, such clubs will be resuscitated to build capacity and resilience in school. We also have programmes to educate pupils on moral character and to expose those from rural areas that there is life to aspire even if dispite living in remote areas,” she added.

Ramaphane noted that currently, together with Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA) were running clubs in schools towards implementation of the project, which focused on sexual reproductive health and services

District officer, Oabona Kalwetse, appreciated the project noting that it would help to fight social ills, which were a serious concern in the district.

She hoped the project would produce desired results and be rolled-out to other districts. BOPA