12 May 2019

Kgosi Shathani Kgakanyane of Sebina has condemned domestic violence perpetrators, saying their actions created a violent and aggressive society.

Speaking at a two-day workshop organised by the Francistown gender affairs department at Shashe Bridge last week, she called on the government to set aside a month to commemorate gender based violence against women and the girl child.

She explained that the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), which is commemorated every November, is not enough to sensitise the society on issues of GBV.

Kgosi Kgakanyane said GBV was one of the most prevalent human rights violations and gender inequality in Botswana, adding that protection of women and children from violence remained a challenge.

She explained that to end such violence against women, all must stand up, speak out and act because silence and inaction would let violence continue.

Kgosi Kgakanyane said the increase of violence was exacerbated by some parents who do not report cases of violence against their children to relevant authorities including the police and Childline Botswana, saying such actions exposed children to more danger.

The traditional leader further cautioned parents who prioritise their own interest when it comes to issue of gender abuse against their children only because they have been pampered with goodies by perpetrators.

She said physical abuse was the most common of gender based violence reported to authorities while others such as emotional, financial and sexual remain unreported.

She said abuse of alcohol and drugs by youth put them at a high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS because they end up engaging in unprotected sex.

“We are concerned about people who do not report cases of violence and say that they will leave everything unto God,” she said.

Kgosi Kgakanyane urged parents, police officers, the Christian community, traditional leaders and politicians to join hands in the fight GBV.

She also urged law enforcement agencies to work with traditional leaders such as chiefs in sensitising the community on issues of GBV so that they can be addressed immediately.

Tonota station commander, Superintendent Oteng Ngada said women and the girl child were the most affected members of the community by gender based violence.

He said the knife was the most used object of murder in cases of gender based violence, adding that love affairs disputes were the worst causes of gender based violence in Botswana.

He further said most cases of defilement go unreported.

He said some Christian leaders were taking the lead in cases of gender based violence under the pretext that they were the people of God.

Supt Ngada said Tonota Police Station had recorded 13 rape cases, three murders, eight defilement cases and one man to man rape from January to May.

He further added that in 2018 they recorded a maximum of 30 rape cases, 10 murders and nine defilement cases.

In closing, Kgosi Simon Nkgageng of Tati-Siding advised parents to take a stand on issues of gender based violence against  them or their children.

He cautioned the public against drugs and alcohol abuse, saying government had put in place stiffer penalties as a deterrent. ENDS