11 Dec 2024

Corporate entities have a critical role to play and become key catalysts for transformative social impact on gender based violence (GBV).

This was said by senior assistant commissioner of police, also member of the national gender commission, Ms Goitseone Ngono at the Orange Botswana Foundation’s 16 Days of activism against GBV commemoration recently.

Ms Ngono said over 67 per cent women had experienced abuse and such statistics represented real lives, real suffering and deprived real dignity, security and autonomy.

She indicated said GBV left victims with lifelong physical, emotional and psychological scars, while some lost their lives.

She added that survivors also faced sexual and reproductive health consequences, including unwanted pregnancy as well as contracting STIs and HIV.

As a result, Ms Ngono challenged companies to integrate anti-GBV initiatives into organisational culture, policies and day to day operations. 

She also urged business leaders to create safe environments for open dialogue about GBV and gender equality within their organisations.

“Companies should adopt clear policies that tackle GBV and foster an inclusive workplace culture, that includes providing comprehensive training on recognising and responding to GBV for all employees,” she said.

She further said companies could offer support by establishing partnerships with local service providers to create pathways for assistance offering mental health support and also sponsor community programmes and invest in initiatives that raised awareness to combat GBV.

“There is need to make workplaces spaces where GBV survivors find support, where awareness is built and collective responsibility is upheld. There is also need to ensure that survivors can rebuild their lives and the private sector therefore has an essential role in combating GBV by implementing policies,” she said. 

Meanwhile, Ms Ngono commended Orange Botswana for their remarkable commitment and acting decisively to combat GBV.

She said their monthly staff-led donation drives and creation of Orange money account to support Botswana GBV Support Centre was inspirational.

“The initiatives not only provide immediate support to survivors but also empowers staff to be active participants in creating change,” she said.

For his part, Orange Botswana acting CEO, Mr Gobe Mbayi said GBV was a phenomenon that directly or indirectly affected everyone because it destroyed lives, eroded communities and stifled the nation’s development.

Mr Mbayi said Orange Botswana, would therefore take action, through collaboration and relentless determination, to create a Botswana where safety, respect and equality were fundamental rights and not privileges.

He said the day’s theme; Private Sector Action in Preventing GBV Together, was a call to every business to step up against GBV.

He added that the private sector was a force for innovation, influence and impact and therefore channelling its strength into combating GBV, would rewrite workplace cultures to champion equality and safety.

“I ask you to join the conversation, commit to taking bold and measurable steps that go beyond the boardroom. Let us pledge as a collective to direct our resources, talent and influence toward eradicating GBV in our workplaces, communities and our homes,” he said. Ends