09 Dec 2019

Gender based violence has no place in modern day society, says Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Mr Lefoko Moagi.

He was speaking at a faith-based workshop organised by the Department of Gender Affairs in collaboration with Project Concern International (PSI) and Interdenominational Women’s Fellowship in Ramotswa recently

He said it was therefore upon all community members to stand together to condemn and act against all kinds of gender influenced violence.

Minister Moagi described GBV as the most common human right violation in the world with no social, economic or national boundaries.

“It undermines the health, dignity, security and autonomy of its victims, yet it remains shrouded in a culture of silence and normalisation,” he added.

He pointed out that society’s patriarchal nature and some cultural beliefs suppressed women.

Mr Moagi noted that among the effects of violence, which mostly affected women and girls, was forced and unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and reproductive health consequences.

He regretted that violence happened despite the fact that Botswana’s constitution guaranteed equality before the law and prohibited discrimination based on sex or gender.

Minister Moagi said as a United Nations member, the country was party to many international conventions and declarations adopted to eliminate violence against women.

As a signatory to the conventions, Botswana ‘recognises the fact that violence against women and children invalidates their full enjoyment of human rights’, he saidKgosi Mosadi Seboko of Balete stated that GBV affected men and women hence the need to target all to curb the problem.

Kgosi Mosadi said the fight against GBV should continue beyond the 16 days of activism against the scourge. ENDS