01 May 2017

Having become the first Motswana to receive the Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage (IWOC) award presented to her by US First Lady, Melania Trump and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Thomas Shannon, Ms Malebogo Molefhe says Botswana still needs to do a lot to eradicate gender-based violence especially on the girl-child and women.

She was speaking at a media roundtable organised by the U.S Embassy-Department of Public Affairs in Gaborone last week.

Ms Molefhe, who was shot eight times by her ex-boyfriend in 2009 and left for dead, said some gender-based victims in Botswan were persecuted for speaking out and blamed for violence perpetrated against them.

“Most people in Botswana when I tell them what happened to me, the first question they ask is, what did I do to have made him that angry. I must have done something to provoke him. Violence is being justified in this country and it needs to stop. We need to encourage people to speak out and not stand and hope that things will change for the better, it will not. Walk away and do not be ashamed of walking away. Do not make the same mistake I made of thinking things would change,” she said.

“In 2009, my ex-boyfriend shot me eight times and left me for dead. I was confined to a wheelchair and after that ordeal, I did a lot of psychological, physical and occupational therapy and that helped me come to terms with my injuries,” she added.

She said the support from her family and friends helped her make the decision to speak out and raise awareness through her own story to help other women and young girls.

“We have a problem in this country and it is up to us to put a stop to it or watch our women, girls, men and boys suffer at the hands of abuse,” said Molefhe.

Ms Molefhe said after receiving the award in Washington D.C, she had the chance to visit  places that deal with gender-based violence, the police and places where people undergo serious medical care.

“I toured Washington D.C and Denver and I met other courageous women who inspired me with their stories and it resonated with what I do and believe in,” she said.

“What also got to me was how people are so collaborative and working together for a common purpose,” said Ms Molefhe.

She noted that this was an extraordinary opportunity to bring international attention and support to women who had put their lives and/or personal safety at risk in order to improve their communities.

For her part, acting public affairs officer at the Department of Public Affairs, U.S Embassy, Ms Jacqueline Mourot said IWOC was created in 2007 by the then Secretary of State, Ms Condoleezza Rice.

“The aim of the award is to recognise and award the courage and leadership shown by women throughout the world for their role in peace, human rights, gender quality and women’s empowerment,” she said, adding that so far over 100 women have been honoured from more than 60 countries worldwide. ENDS