29 Nov 2018

Mabutsane Sub-district has embarked on a tour aimed at  spreading the message against Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Speaking during the launch of 16 days of activism against women and children in Mabutsane this week, assistant district AIDS coordinator, Mr Kennedy Dintwe said they would tour some of the villages in the next 16 days until the closing ceremony on December 10.

Mr Dintwe said they would visit Kanaku and Morwamosu while the closing prayers would take place at Sese.

He said the theme for this year: #HearMeToo, end violence against women and girls, was a cry  from women who were asking for help, and that it challenged perpetrators to end violence.

He highlighted that before the event, men were asked to wear stilettos in order to feel the pain that women were feeling. He added that an end to GBV needed collaboration by different stakeholders.

The guest speaker, who is also the school head for Maiteko Junior Secondary School, Mr Percy Mongwewarona also emphasised the need to report incidents of GBV to bring perpetrators to book.

He said GBV had also led to unwanted teenage pregnancies and school drop outs.

“Although we are hoping to achieve Vision 2036’s prosperity for all pillar, GBV remains a threat to security, health and dignity of humanity. By ending it, we will be giving survivors a second chance to enjoy life,” said Mr Mongwewarona.

He noted that GBV statistics of 2012 indicated that 67 out of 100 women and girls were abused.

He encouraged victims to report any form of abuse so that perpetrators could also get help.  

Mr Mongwewarona also said it was important to fight against GBV not only at home, but also at the workplace and at schools and called on churches to unite in prayer. Ends