08 Mar 2017

 Despite calls for action against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), statistics indicate that there has been a noticeable increase in the number of gender related offenses recorded in Chobe District.

When presenting the statistics at the One Billion Rising commemoration in Kasane recently, Constable Kesegofetse Keitumetse noted that the district recorded 433 cases of common assault in 2016 compared to 299 cases in 2015.

Comparatively, 281 cases of the same offense were recorded in 2014, which indicated an increase of the offense year on year, with women often on the receiving end.
“Similarly, defilement cases rose from six in 2014, to 10 in 2015 and 12 in the past year.

These statistics could either be interpreted as an increase in the number of incidents themselves or an increase in victims reporting cases of the incidents,” she said.
Constable Keitumetse observed that despite the increasing numbers of incidents reported, there was a concern about the rate at which cases were being withdrawn,  noting that the correlation between socio-economic status especially of women and gender-based violence was evident.

“We get a lot of cases withdrawn because families do not want to risk losing financial support from the perpetrator and as such opt to withdraw,” she stated.
The year 2016 also saw a rise in assault causing bodily harm with 162 cases recorded compared to 123 cases the previous year. Common nuisance cases also rose from 189 cases in 2016, compared to 149 cases the previous year.

It is against such statistics that the One Billion Rising concept was established internationally, as a call for action against GBV.
Global statistics indicate that one in three women globally would be raped or beaten in their lifetime. In Botswana, this probability is much higher, with two thirds of women likely to experience GBV.

In 2015, for the first time Botswana joined the rest of the world in commemorating One Billion Rising campaign with Chobe district pioneering the campaign.
On Friday, the day was once more commemorated focusing on students this time around having mobilised schools around Kasane, Lesoma and Kazungula.
Through dance, theatre, song and poems, students spoke against GBV and abuse in general.

Prior to the actual event, students were mobilised and shared their reasons for rising against GBV, some of whom shared their personal experiences with violence.
The Member of Parliament, for Chobe, Mr Machana Shamukuni lent support to the cause, highlighting the need to speak against GBV. He encouraged the steering committee for the campaign to continue sensitising communities on the dangers of GBV and keep the campaign running.

The campaign has so far spread to other parts of Botswana such as Mahalapye, Letlhakane and Serowe. ENDS