06 Oct 2020

While government continues to come up with strategies for curbing gender-based violence (GBV), communities should  initiate localised interventions in order to sustain the fight.

This was said by Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs permanent secretary, Mr Molefi Keaja at a GBV men’s pitso which formed part of month of prayer closing activities in Lesoma recently.

He said government could not prescribe one-size-fits-all solutions for the whole country as GBV forms differed from one area to the other.

Mr Keaja said communities should consider how their cultures and religions contributed to soaring GBV figures.

Another speaker, Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi said the war against GBV should start with men having self-love.

“If you cannot love yourself there is no way you can be able to love the next person hence we still see men as perpetrators of GBV. Love should start within before sharing it with others,” he said adding without self-love, GBV cases would continue to escalate.

Minister Mmusi said a task force for fighting GBV made up of  ministers and pastors would be instituted.

He further informed his audience that Parliament would in the next sitting debate a bill proposing the establishment of a sex offenders register and increased fines for GBV offences.

In his welcome address, Kgosi Lesoma Lesoma suggested that GBV offenders be denied bail because in most cases accused persons committed similar offences while on bail.

President of Botswana Faith Based Network on HIV/AIDS and Health Promotion (BOFABONETHA), Rev. Mpho Moruakgomo said men and the church should play a role in raising children noting that only about 18 per cent of the women population was married.

The church should help raise children especially since  the majority of believers were women, he said.

During the deliberations, Prophet Norman Gabadise said some pastors abused and impregnated women with some going to the extent of forcing them to commit abortion.

Evangelist Chapman Mohinde attributed abusive behaviour to the way some men were raised.

He said the church should teach about GBV and encourage men to change their mindset towards women.

Pastor Amos Phuduhudu said frequent holding of men’s pitso would provide an opportunity  for men to counsel each other thereby helping reduce GBV cases.

Pastor Kabelo Malaki said parents should raise girl children to be independent.

He said as another way of addressing GBV, men should learn to forgive and forget.

Mr Thabo Phokoje identified cohabitation as a contributory factor to GBV and called for  empowerment of dikgosi to discourage it.

He said alcohol abuse by the youth also fuelled GBV and suggested that the age limit for alcohol consumption be increased from 18 to 21.

For his part, Mr Mbeha Masule said women were given too much protection and in the process took advantage to hurt men.

National AIDS and Health Promotion Agency (NAHPA) acting coordinator, Mr Nonofo Leteane said there was a gap in  spiritual health issues adding that  morality should be a daily topic.

Mr Leteane said another neglected aspect in the fight against GBV was mental wellbeing.

He called on men to desist from involvement in inter-generational relationships which he said disadvantaged female partners.

Mr Leteane urged participants not to  perceive GBV cases as statistics only but to bring them closer to home by imagining the pain of losing a loved one such as a sister, mother or wife. ENDS