01 Dec 2020

 Culture plays an important role in the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV) as it reinforces respect and smooth relationships among families.

Assistant Representative of United Nations Population Fund(UNFPA), Ms Mareledi Segotso said this during the launch of 16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence in Maun on November 30.

The event was organised  by Women against Rape in partnership with UNFPA.

According to Ms Segotso, it was important to engage dikgosi in issues of GBV as they were a source of expertise and counsel for individuals and families in their communities.

Ms Segotso also explained that through culture, men, women, boys and girls could acquire different norms and values, which could teach them to be responsible and act against GBV.

She reiterated that women and girls needed protection from GBV, hence it was important to work together with dikgosi in order to uplift the dignity of women and girls.

“Issues of gender-based violence have to be discussed regularly because it does not take a day to end it. Our intention is to see a girl child living happily,” said Ms Segotso.

Meanwhile, the former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development also women empowerment champion, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso said that lack of strong bond between families resulted in gender-based violence because most people had lost their culture.

Ms Tshireletso encouraged families to work together to fight GBV and portray good behaviour to their children as they copy what they did.

For his part, Kgosi Oleyo Ledimo, who was representing Batawana regent, said the main cause of GBV was loss of culture as many people had now indulged themselves in the modern culture, which exposed them to bad behaviour.

Kgosi Ledimo explained that in order to fight GBV, pre-marital counselling should be made compulsory to married partners.  ends