08 Dec 2019

The first family embarked on a walk against gender based violence (GBV) in Gaborone on December 7.

Following the walk, the First Lady, Ms Neo Masisi, said the nation needed to introspect because GBV statistics were overwhelming. 

She said GBV came in various forms such as deprivation of resources such as health care nutrition, means of livelihood, psychological abuse as well as beating and killing. 

GBV, Ms Masisi said, was rooted in gender inequality and continued to be one of the most notable human violations in all societies. 

According to Botswana Police Service national statistics on rape, 2 074 cases were recorded in 2017, 2 064 in 2018 whilst in 2019 from January to September they recorded 1 642 cases. 

She said the numbers could be more since more sexual assaults cases were unreported.  

The First Lady expressed concern that Botswana was the second amongst 10 countries in terms of rape cases, according to the World Population Review report. 

She noted that according to the World Population Review of 2019, women of ages 16-19 were four times more likely to be rape victims whilst female college students of 18-24 were three times more likely to experience sexual assaults. 

Ms Masisi said the numbers represented real people whose lives and those around them were altered as they face trauma challenges. 

She said this was time to stand up and continue to uphold the values of peace and harmony that Botswana prided itself in.

For her part, the Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Ms Anna Mokgethi, said government came up with interventions such as establishment of the GBV referral system, adoption of the Domestic Violence Act as well as introducing stiffer sentences for HIV positive offenders to 15 years and above imprisonment, among others. 

Ms Mokgethi called for active participation of all stakeholders in the fight against gender based violence and eventual elimination, particularly the growing menace of rape.

She said it was crucial to continue to engage men, especially young boys since the nation strived to build a safe environment for all. 

UN has adopted a Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women 20 years ago and the 16 days of Activism against Violence on Women and Children is a UN campaign that takes place annually from November 25 to December 10. Ends