15 Sep 2019

Gender-based violence (GBV) requires collaborative efforts if it is to be eliminated. 

Mascom acting chief executive officer, Ms Dzene Makhwade-Seboni, said this at the end of an inaugural Mascom Batanani Charity Walk in Francistown on September 14. 

She explained that gender-based violence affected everyone, but women bore the most brunt. 

Ms Makhwade-Seboni said Mascom had decided to come up with the walk to highlight the negative effects of GBV and raise money for organisations that were engaged in efforts to address it in Francistown. 

She also stated that their intervention was influenced by commitment to play a positive role in the society, especially in Francistown where their presence over the last few years had been notable through the hosting of the Mascom Top 8  football competition and their contribution towards the city’s 120 year anniversary. 

In addition, she said, all the suppliers and companies engaged for the walk were based in Francistown.

The charity walk, she explained, was the beginning of a great movement that sought to influence change in society given the fact that research had indicated that 67 per cent of women in Botswana hd experienced gender-based violence, including from their intimate partners. 

Gender-based violence, Ms Makhwade-Seboni, noted was influenced by negative societal attitudes that condoned the abuse of women and the girl child. 

Some of these attitudes, she highlighted, were shrouded in secrecy due to cultural beliefs which made it difficult to address during its early stages. 

Non-governmental organisations which were involved in trying to address gender-based violence, the acting Mascom CEO said, needed assistance, hence the proceeds from the walk would be doubled by the company so as to make a meaningful impact. 

She also encouraged other organisations, which were focused on addressing gender-based violence to persevere and not give up on their interventions. 

As part of Mascom’s corporate social responsibility, Ms Makhwade-Seboni donated P76 000 each to Malebogo Max Foundation Trust and the Francistown Arts Meeting. 

Francistown mayor, Ms Sylvia Muzila, who was the chief walker, applauded Mascom for its commitment to the development of Francistown. 

She noted that the company had played a critical role, adding that the walk came at the right time when gender-based violence was rearing its ugly head around the country. 

The walk, she said, was a call to everyone to end gender-based violence and build a society driven by love. 

She called on men to reflect on the charity walk and assist government to end the scourge. 

The walk, she said, was the first of its kind and applauded efforts to make it an annual event. She said Mascom, should be commended for the initiative, noting that it had always been her belief that the private sector could do a lot to assist the government in rebuilding the economy of Francistown. 

“Government alone cannot be able to address all the challenges that society faces,” she mentioned. She also encouraged residents of Francistown to play an active role in ending gender-based violence. 

A gender-based violence activist and survivor, Ms Malebogo Molefhe, explained that gender-based violence changed lives for those who experienced it directly and indirectly. 

She shared her ordeal of being shot at by someone who was once close to her, noting that women should always look out for warning signs. 

Ms Molefhe said she had decided to take a stand against gender-based violence to save the lives of those who were experiencing it currently. 

“Gender-based violence is a process and happens because we ignore warning signs,” she said. Survivors of this form of violence, she highlighted, suffered a lot of public humiliation and victims were always blamed for it.

 She noted that she had decided to use herself as a voice to prevent violence affecting other women in society and encouraged women to walk away from gender-based violence at the earliest possible opportunity. ends