29 May 2017

Women Against Rape coordinator, Ms Peggie Ramaphane has called on women and society in general to show leadership and condemn violence against women and girls at all levels in the society.

Ms Ramaphane was speaking at a demonstration dubbed #aparaseosesenkang condemning violence against women and girls following an incident in which a young woman was publicly humiliated because of the way she was dressed at the Gaborone bus rank recently.

She explained that the constitution of Botswana had granted equal rights to all human beings.

“I am here to stand for and protect women’s dignity in the society. Women are at liberty to do what they want and no one has the right to trample on them as they wish, let us care for each other,” she said.

She further advised women to be proactive on issues of violence against women, adding that a woman should be respected and protected in the society not humiliated.

The indicent, she said was an embarrassment to the country as a whole, given that the country had just signed the Revised SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, which calls for the elimination of discrimination and promotion of gender equality,  among other issues.

“We look forward for the protocol to be put into action. Take action when you see the other person being abused because when you keep quiet you take part in that kind of violence, silence is violence,” she said.

Motivational speaker, Ms Hannah Lecha pointed out that no one had the right to abuse another person because of the way they were dressed.

“We have to appreciate that as humans we have different minds, values and look with a different perspective, so don’t make others be you, but let them be who they are,” she said.

Ms Lecha further highlighted even after marriage, women should continue to be themselves.

Afro-Botho co-founder and survivor of sexual abuse, Ms Didi Biorn said pain for one should be pain for all, saying that violence had nothing to do with what the person was wearing.

“Just like our National Anthem says, we should stand up against any form of violence for a better Botswana.

We should fight for human rights. Enough is enough!” she said.

Batawana chief representative, Kgosi Kealetile Moremi commended the women and men who took part in the demonstration for standing up against violence.

Kgosi Moremi advised that issues should be discussed peacefully so that a common agreement was reached without violence.

In addition, she said women should be free to choose what they want to wear. ENDS