26 Nov 2018

 A business woman and gender advocate, Ms Hanna Lecha has urged Maun community and churches to break the silence on issues of abuse.

Ms Lecha said an end to violence on women and children could only be realised if everyone speak out about abuse happening to them, their children or people in their neighbourhood.

She was speaking at a march against Gender Based Violence organised by the North West District Council on November 25 in Maun.

Ms Lecha, a victim of child sexual abuse, said most perpetrators of abuse were people closely related to the victims.

She said in most instances, the victims who were mainly children were threatened not to report to anyone or were not believed by their guardians when they opened up. 

Ms Lecha therefore said parents and guardians should stop protecting the reputation of perpetrators of violence over children and women.

She also said there was need for the judicial system to speed up trial of cases of abuse, especially involving children since prolonged cases might result in victims to forgeting some facts.

The Botswana police, she said must have officers well trained in handling issues of abuse.

She observed that some might choose to remain silent due to the manner in which their cases were handled when they reported to the police.

Further, she said some rules in the Children’s Act have not been implemented while some needed to be reviewed especially on penalties of perpetrators.

Ms Lecha also noted that the public needed sensitisation on existing laws.

The March against violence was part of the Motswana to Motswana march against violence organised by the Ministry of Gender and Nationality across the country on November 25 to mark the beginning of 16 days of activism against gender based violence.

Ms Lecha therefore commended the ministry for the initiative, which she said showed government’s commitment towards the fight against gender based violence.

She noted that NGOs such as Women Against Rape in Maun had been taking the lead in such events in the past.

The march was attended by the community leadership, churches and community members.

North West District Council deputy chairperson, Mr Lathang Molonda also encouraged attendants to play a role in ending gender based violence. ENDS