04 Dec 2024

Eradication of gender-based violence (GBV) requires a collective commitment from both political leaders and individuals, emphasised National Gender Commissioner Ms Njiramanda Mbewe during a keynote address at the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV on Women and Children in Francistown on Monday.

Ms Mbewe described the annual campaign as a commitment to safeguard the fundamental rights of the most vulnerable members of society. 

She highlighted that violence against women and children was a violation of human rights, stripping victims of their safety, dignity, and equality. 

“It robs them of the opportunity to fully participate in society, undermining the very essence of what it means to be human,” Ms Mbewe stated, underscoring the urgent need for societal change.

A recent national survey revealed that over 37 per cent of women aged 18-64 in Botswana have experienced some form of gender-based violence during their lives.

“This is not just a number; it represents thousands of women whose dreams have been shattered, whose voices have been silenced, and whose lives have been irrevocably changed,” she said.

Ms Mbewe further addressed the bleak reality faced by children, sharing that in 2023 alone, more than 1 200 cases of child abuse were reported, encompassing various forms of physical and sexual violence. 

Economically, she noted that GBV costs the nation millions of pula in healthcare, legal fees, lost productivity, and social welfare programs—resources that could be directed towards enhancing education, healthcare, and infrastructure aligned with Botswana’s Vision 2036.

To create a safer environment for women and children, Ms Mbewe urged the society to unite in efforts to combat GBV, quoting the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.”

She called on parents to foster homes filled with love and respect, while educators must teach the youth about consent, gender equality, and non-violence. Furthermore, community leaders were urged to confront harmful cultural norms, such as the idea that “men do not cry,” which can lead to destructive emotional repression.

The role of the private sector was not overlooked, with Ms Mbewe urging businesses to cultivate workplaces free from harassment and discrimination.

She called for the government to demonstrate steadfast political will by reinforcing laws protecting women and children, ensuring swift justice for survivors, and allocating necessary resources for shelters, counseling services, and public awareness campaigns.

Echoing Ms Mbewe’s sentiments, Ms Tiny Tamasiga-Gontse, District Coordinator at the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs, stressed that the responsibility to end GBV lies not solely with the government but with society as a whole.

“The community has to take part in ensuring that a GBV-free generation is possible,” she asserted. 

Ms Tamasiga-Gontse pointed out that the ministry seeks to mobilize all Batswana to actively participate in the fight against GBV, emphasizing the importance of engaging men and boys in discussions about violence in homes, communities, and workplaces. Ends