14 Dec 2020

The Chief Justice, Mr Terence Rannowane says escalating cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) have taken away Botswana’s shine, a country that has been known traditionally as a peace loving nation.

Speaking at the official closing of the national commemoration of 16 days of activism against violence on women and children in Molepolole recently, Mr Rannowane said the escalation of GBV cases not only painted a dark stain on ‘our social values, but  our moral integrity and our sense of decency as Batswana men has also been tainted.’

He emphasised that what was happening today, was entirely inconsistent with the nation’s values.

Mr Rannowane noted that GBV was mostly perpetrated by men and pleaded with them that before lifting a hand towards any woman, young or old, at least they should remember that it was a woman who allowed them to survive nine months in their womb when they could have chosen to abort but because of their love, chose to protect men.

Nevertheless, he applauded men who were positive role models and urged them not only to keep up with good conduct but also propagate and encourage other men to do the same.  

Moreover, he encouraged men to be champions and pathfinders of change and lobby one another to adopt positive masculinity as they groomed their sons and nephews as well as their peers.

He said it was through the active participation of men in all spheres of transformation geared towards a radical change especially addressing GBV, that Vision 2036 could be realised.

The chief justice therefore, challenged men to seek intervention and counseling whenever there were disputes or when experiencing any form of emotional instability as this would go a long way in relieving them of such tension and restore their emotional stability.

Meanwhile, he indicated that he was delighted that the Sexual Offenders Registry draft bill had been finalised and would be presented in the current Parliament sitting.  The Bill provides for among others; stiffer penalties against offenders and the establishment of the Sex Offenders Registry which will record names and particulars of all persons convicted of sexual offences.  

This he said to a large extent would deterd potential offenders.

He also stated that in order to address the grave situation posed by GBV cases as a matter of urgency, the judiciary established Special Courts to speed up hearing of GBV cases.

“I believe this will relieve the victims and survivors the ordeal of having to wait for long periods before their cases are heard,” he opined.

Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Ms Anna Mokgethi said this year’s theme: Unite to End Gender Based Violence Now, called for everyone to stand up and fight GBV.  

She said the ministry organised a workshop for bahumagadi in Molepolole to dialogue on child upbringing as one of the preventative measures to deal with issues of GBV.

The minister therefore, appealed to all to unite in the fight against GBV because government alone could not do it.

For his part, Kgosi Kgari III said although the commemoration had come to an end, it did not mean that the fight against GBV had stopped.  

He said the scourge called for concerted efforts by everyone.  

Kgosi Kgari said all lived with GBV perpetrators and urged the public not to shy away from reporting GBV cases or look away when such violence happened because doing so would only exacerbate cases.  Ends