29 Nov 2020

 Parents have been urged to create communication platforms with their children to openly discuss ways on how to protect themselves from child abuse and gender based violence (GBV) related issues.

Assistant Minister of Basic Education, Ms Nnaniki Makwinja, said this when officially launching a campaign dubbed: My Student, My child, My star’ Initiated by Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) in collaboration with Child Line Botswana.

Ms Makwinja underscored the need for parents to introspect and improve communication with their children.

The campaign is appealing to stakeholders to come on board to protect the children as well as to support the initiative with resources so as to have the expected impact in the education system.

Parents, she said were tasked with the responsibility to sensitise their children about all related ills that could destroy their future, adding that failure to openly communicate with their children and protect them from harm, they were prone to abuse.

Each day that passes, she said, the safety and wellbeing of children across the nation was threatened by child abuse and neglect. She however urged parents to introspect and play their role to ensure health; safety and happiness of children become a priority.

Intervening effectively and efficiently in the lives of children, she said was not the sole responsibility of any agency but rather should be a shared community concern.

Ms Makwinja acknowledged that the recent lockdown hit hard on families and on the vulnerable groups especially women and children, the girl child and those living with disability being the most affected especially in North West district. 

She said it was unfortunate that what happened at the household level directly affected children at school, stating that from the reports they received, it was evident that children feel happier and safer at school where they spend most of their time than at home with their parents.

In addition, she reiterated that Botswana was the second country in high rape incidents in the world, highlighting that incidents of defilement of children aged below 16, 10 and five as an eyesore.

“Where did we go wrong as a community, as a nation and as the human race? Where are we headed? This is the time as a nation to walk as we raise our voices against gender based violence. Let our actions depict unity and resolve to end this monster,” she added.

Ms Makwinja pointed out that all children needed love and protection and the parents had the fundamental responsibility. Likewise the society, she said also had the responsibility to take part in the protection and welfare of children. 

She called on the nation at large to make it a business to look out for children ‘as it takes a whole village to raise a child’ further stressing that was the Setswana culture that remained relevant to date. 

Her ministry, she said had a mammoth task to produce quality personnel to drive the economy and acknowledged that teachers were at the forefront to achieve that. 

The assistant minister appreciated the good work done by teachers, noting that a teacher was indeed a valuable resource and key in unlocking learners’ talents.

Ms Makwinja noted that teachers had unique opportunity to promote and mould the society, promote the family and advocate for children as well as provide programmes and services that could help children.

Earlier, Kgosi Tshupegetso Bontsibokae of Matlapana ward hailed the launching of the initiative in Maun, saying issues of GBV were worrisome.

 He cited a recent incident in his ward which involved a 13-year-old girl who missed three of her Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) because she visited her older boyfriend.

He said it was a pity that some parents exacerbated the situation by failing to report such incidents so that the perpetrators could be brought to book.

Kgosi Bontsibokae is hopeful that the initiative would address such issues and thanked BOSETU and Child Line for coming up with such a brilliant campaign to augment government’s efforts to fight GBV. ends