20 Nov 2019

Despite government efforts to promote good health seeking behaviours among men, a large number of males continue to lose lives to treatable ailments. 

Speaking at International Men’s Day commemoration held at Selebi Phikwe on November 19 , Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs Ms Anna Mokgethi said  out of 11 485 deaths registered from January to mid-November, 52 per cent were males.

She said the statistics confirmed that Botswana was losing men who could otherwise contribute effectively to the development of the country.

Minister Mokgethi therefore called for development of strategies to address the challenge.

The minister applauded  government for promoting male participation in families citing men’s right to have their names reflected on their children’s birth certificates and to have custody of their children.

She said government had also made it possible for men to get child maintenance from mothers who did not have custody of children. 

Furthermore, she said, government had encouraged the establishment of men’s clinics to address health issues specific to them.

The intension was to promote good health seeking behaviours among men and accord them access to friendly health services, she explained.

She applauded the positive role played by men and boys in recognising that gender stereotypes had resulted in high male propensity for committing suicide, perpetrating Gender Based Violence (GBV) and generally poor health seeking behaviors.

Ms Mokgethi implored both men and women to take deliberate action to address GBV at all levels of society.“With our combined efforts we can uproot the negative attitudes that uphold gender inequality thereby promoting fruitful relationships that would improve our socio-economic, political and cultural development,” said the minister.

She said injustice, gender inequality and GBV adding “this calls us to have continuous conversations which are transformative, where we interrogate all issues of concern including patriarchy which is the fuel of all inequalities in society”.

For her part, UNDP country representative Ms Natasha Hirschfield said it was not too late for men to be good role models to their children and society at large.

Good male role models were disciplined, kind, loyal, and respectful especially towards women and children, she said.

National Men Sector coordinator Mr Nonofo Leteane said time had come for the nation to focus attention on producing exemplary men and boys.

Mr Leteane said his organisation would continue to promote gender equality and humanitarian values.

The event themed “Positive Male Role Models,” was aimed at emphasising the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities.

The day was also intended to focus on men’s health and wellbeing especially social, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects, discrimination against them in areas of social services, social attitudes and expectations as well as law. Ends