11 Sep 2014

Media practitioners have been advised to exercise caution and report gender issues constructively and objectively.


Speaking at a media relations tea party in Lobatse on September 9, gender officer from the gender affairs department, Ms Boitumelo Likuni called on the media to also be sensitive especially when reporting on issues of gender based violence. 


Ms Likuni said the media played an important role in shaping information and delivering it to the community and therefore vital for them to package it in such a manner that it would build and not destroy.


As human beings have the right to dignity, Ms Likuni said it was especially important for the media to give victims of acts of violence the right to privacy and protection in their reporting. 


She said as gender issues cut across all sphere of life and encompasses areas such as violence, politics, and poverty, there was therefore the need for especially women who are mostly victims of gender based violence to live out of poverty.


She encouraged the media to therefore play a role in instilling the uplifting of cultural value system, good morals and the spirit of humanity to the communities as these have proved to reduce violence.


As women make strides in various arenas across the world, especially in the male dominated careers, Ms Likunio called on the media to step up to the occasion and report on such issues.


This, she said can be a way of encouraging other women to know that conquering the male dominated field or being independent is as much possible.
 
Earlier in his welcome remarks, District Commissioner Mr Geoffrey Gare said the country is still faced with challenges in addressing gender issues.


Only when these challenges are addressed can the country gain social fibers that defined who we are as Batswana.
Mr Gare said it is rare to find a community that co- exist in mutual understanding as a lot of cultural norms have been lost, but added that drilling issues of gender among communities can only bring back that social fiber of oneness that will help both male and female to co- exist in harmony.


He applauded the committee for the great work that it is doing in sensitizing the Lobatse community of the need to integrate gender issues not only in their daily lives but also mainstream it even in the work place.


For her part, the District Gender Committee Ex- officio member Ms Zoubediah Raphael applauded government for various initiatives introduced towards mainstreaming gender issues especially in the work place.


Ms Raphael who is also Boswelatlou councilor said though Botswana has not signed the Gender Protocol, the country has already implemented most if not all the bullets that underpin gender issues.


She  said the country  is working towards having a good health system, and striving well in the fight against poverty through its poverty eradication program.
 She called on the private sector to work towards incorporating gender issues in their working portfolio as it is evident that they are lagging behind.


Ms Raphael also took time to applaud the Botswana media for taking media issues on board, adding that it is through the local media that gender issues are taken on board through out the country.


Though the day saw less media house representation, it however went on under the theme, “Touching lives through gender mainstreaming: The media our mouth piece”.


The day which was organized by the Lobatse District Gender Committee, was meant to create and maintain relationships with the media and various stakeholders. Ends