13 Dec 2020

The City of Francistown Mayor, Mr Godisang Radisego has urged relevant focal persons to create friendly platforms for men amongst the five wards in Francistown where men can meet and discuss issues of Gender Based violence (GBV).

Speaking during a life skill awareness workshop for men and boys in Francistown Friday, Mr Radisego said the platforms would not only help combat issues of GBV but would also give men an opportunity to discuss other challenges they were faced with. 

He said in many cases men were the perpetrators of violence, however, it should not be ignored that men were sometimes victims of violence and that they deserved equal support to end violence for all.

Mr Radisego said the formation of the committees would afford men chance to open up and speak about their problems in a friendly platform in which they would not fear being judged or considered weak.

The mayor further urged men as perpetrators of violence to introspect and evaluate themselves on the  purpose they served in the society.

He said the role of a man in the society and in his household was to be a protector, a guider and a provider, emphasising  doing so mindful that a boy-child grew up to copy and follow in his father’s steps.

The Mr Radisego therefore urged men to teach a boy-child about their cultures and norms and how it differed with the modern culture so that a boy-child could be able to differentiate and appreciate the changes of times.

He said some of the leading causes of violence were that men failed to teach a boy-child that culture was dynamic and that with time certain things also changed such as open discussions about sexual matters between parents and children.

Mr Radisego said men needed to teach a boy-child that sexual intercourse was done under an agreement of two people not only one.

“The boy-child should know that he has to engage a girl into the act and not force her as that now goes beyond the girl’s consent and violates her,” he said.  

He added that communication in a relationship was important as it helped solve issues within the relationship.

For her part, an official from Francistown City Council, Ms Keneilwe Letebele educated the participants about the modified Children’s Act of 2009 which she said held a parent accountable of the child’s welfare.

She said the act was a promotion of protection of a child under the age of 18 years. She advised participants to familiarise themselves with the act to avoid breaking the law. 

Participants were also educated about the international framework of human rights.

For their part most participants said men were not taken seriously when they reached out for help regarding the violence they were faced with. Ends