13 Dec 2015

The HerForShe champion Solly Reikeletseng has announced that they have archieved the target regarding his commitment towards the HeforShe campaign of mobilising men to be part of the movement.

Reikeletseng was addressing the media fraternity during a brief by the International Working Group on Women and Sports (IWG) in Gaborone.

“I made a commitment to mobilise 200 men within the 16 days of activism against gender based violence and a 1 000 by the end of December 2015 to take action and sign up for the campaign. We have reached both targets and still growing as we are at 1 344,” he said.

He said this was not just a verbal commitment but a commitment to support women and girls in the fight against gender-based violence and discrimination.

Moreover, he announced they have set a new target to archieve 20 000 by December 2016. He also said they will roll out an activity plan that will guide and lead towards the attainment of new set target among others the TV advert that will be carried in the local TV stations. 

Reiekeletseng who is also chairman of BNSC, said he has made it a sacrifice of himself to be part of the advocacy to fight against gender inequalities in the world of sport.

 He noted that there is a need for sexual harassment policy in sport to curb gender based violence and discrimination in the sport fraternity hence the plan to put in place the policy. 

He also said the other thing is to start screening sport coaches which will help control personalities that engage in abusing the girl child in sports.

 Reikeletseng also pointed out that the problem of avoiding to deal with the violence is to protect the good name of sport. He however advised them that it can only harm the personality of the person being subjected to the violence.

IWG Secretary General Game Mothibi said girls aged 13 to 16 years continue to experience gender based violence in sport. She said especially sexually harassment in particular and it continues to be a barrier for girls to participate in sports. 

She noted that the problem arises because to date in Botswana there is no sexual harassment policy in sport which has contributed to girls dropping out of sports at an early stage.

Mothibi also said lack of structure and policies affect girl’s participation in sports. “The Gaborone declaration advocates for a minimum of 40 per cent women in leadership positions but currently stands at only 25.2 per cent as from 2013/2014,” she said.

She said the lack of the necessary structure have contributed to girls underperforming due to stress related to sexual harassment. Furthermore she said the fear of stigma and secondary victimisation is a common thing which is also a contributing factor. Ends