12 Dec 2019

Orapa United star, Mr Onkemetse Powe has implored men to speak up against Gender Based Violence and the abuse that women went through behind closed doors.

Mr Powe said this during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence mass walk in Letlhakane this week.

He said bottling up issues would make them ticking time bombs.

Mr Powe emphasised that it was critical to speak up, saying it would compel government to realise that they were not always abusers but sometimes victims of gender based violence.

He cautioned men against alcohol and drugs abuse, saying it exacerbated gender based violence.

“Let us protect our daughters and sisters and report gender based violence,” he said.

Officer Commanding No 8 District, Senior Supt Sarah Gabathusi said more attention had in the past been paid to victims and providing them with safety, but that increasing numbers of rape reports were received demonstrating that there was need to be innovative in implementing strategies.

She said it was time men took charge of issues on gender based violence.

Snr Supt Gabathusi stated that over the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, No 8 District embarked on an extensive public education campaign that was geared towards recruiting men to make meaningful and conscious contributions in the fight against the social ill.

The campaign, she said, was also an opportunity to acknowledge that men were not always abusers, but were sometimes victims.

She said this year’s theme: Generation equality stands against rape, made people to remember perpetrators, and how encouraging and supporting their rehabilitation was likely to change the status quo.

The objectives of the 16 days, she said, were to make males appreciate their responsibilities in the protection of women and children.

Snr Supt Gabathusi said the goal was to influence men to take the lead on issues of GBV eradication, and to raise awareness that males could be victims.

She also said the aim was to give men a platform to take the stand and publicly declare that they stood against gender based violence.

Assistant Commissioner Oneh Mmadintsi called on the public to report all incidents on issues of GBV.

She said that wanted to leave a permanent mark on the minds of the public that Botswana Police Service had zero tolerance on issues of GBV. ENDS