16 Mar 2016

Women Against Rape (WAR) board chairperson Ms Gladys Modirelabangwe has implored the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) to make use of the short stories book written by secondary schools of Maun.

Ms Modirelabangwe was speaking at the launch of the book by WAR on Friday 11, March. The book is titled Reflections on child, early and forced marriages and the project was coordinated by WAR and funded by Canada Fund For Local Initiatives to the tune of P103 000.

Ms Modirelabangwe said the book project was the first of its kind as a product of secondary students which portray the woes children go through in Maun, Botswana and worldwide.

The book, she said would have an impact in matters of child abuse, equality, access to education and their contribution to the economy.

Ms Modirelabangwe hastened that society should not put girl children through sexual abuse and early marriages.

She expressed hope that the book would bring positive changes as it was to be distributed around schools in the country and internationally.

The regional education director, Mr Oupa Masesane said the short stories book marked a milestone for the North West region.

He pointed out that the book would help education ministry attain its priorities on Access, Equality and Quality.

Mr Masesane said children should have equal access to education regardless of gender or tribe and it should be quality education.

Quality education, he noted will not be foreseen if children were exposed to abuse at young ages.

A representative from Maun Administration Authority Ms Rosina Kelebang pointed out that girl children and women were vessels and the role of society was to protect them.

Ms Kelebang said children susceptible to abuse of early marriages were denied crucial stages of growth and emotionally damaged.

The book has 20 short stories written by students from Maun senior school, Moeti, Tsodilo, Tshwaragano and Sedie junior schools.

Primary and secondary schools were given copies of the book at the launch. ENDS