21 Dec 2020

The Assistant Minister of Basic Education, Ms Nnaniki Makwinja has said some Tswana traditions and patriarchal attitudes play a big role in driving Gender Based Violence (GBV).

 Giving keynote address on GBV issues at Shoshong main kgotla on Saturday, Ms Makwinja also the Lentsweletau/Mmopane MP, said such traditions perpetuate GBV and encourage a culture of silence.

Ms Makwinja expressed concern that the number of defilement, rape and incest cases were rising at alarming rate in  Botswana.

The MP said it had also been found that men were less likely to report their experiences of violence.

She said alcohol consumption increased the risk of intimate partner violence.

Ms Makwinja said since the COVID-19 outbreak, cases of domestic violence had been rising significantly in the country, particularly following lockdown measures instituted by government to contain the spread of the virus.

She stated that the stress caused by COVID-19 lockdowns and economic uncertainties reportedly exacerbated unruly behaviour in various families countrywide.

She said as the coronavirus continued to wreak havoc globally, nations were also forced to deal with another pandemic being GBV.

The assistant minister further observed that the COVID-19 pandemic had forced many women in abusive relationships, to remain at home with their abusers, further escalating the risk.

The event was organized by Ms Nyani Seiphetlheng of Nyani Events Company in partnership with Botswana Pantsula Association (BPA) with the objective of fighting GBV. 

Ms Seiphetlheng explained that the objectives of the day was to fight GBV at grassroots level, sensitising learners at primary schools. 

Ms Seiphetlheng, who  has adopted Mokibe primary school in Shoshong, stated that youth were angry because of unemployment, adding that most were sad, depressed, disappointed and hopeless which tempted them to do wrong things.

She called on local leaders and members of the community to assist them in the fight against GBV.

BPA Secretary General, Mr Edwin Sera said their association had been registered lawfully and it had 31 branches in Botswana. 

He said they aimed to assist the government in fighting GBV and alcohol abuse among youth.

Mr Sera said BPA had 6 500 members mostly female and male youth, adding that some of their members were civil servants including police officers.

He said the association’s  head office was at White city in Gaborone. 

Mr Sera said Pantsulas used to be associated with crime but said they managed to crack that perception and were now known for their electrifying dance moves and dress style.

He said they were in a better position to talk to their peers to refrain from committing violence. 

Mr Sera said while they wanted to create awareness about GBV and alcohol abuse in Botswana through pantsula parade, they saw it fit to address members of community about the GBV danger.

He appealed to the government and NGO’s to support them financially to enable them achieve their mission.

Shoshong Member of Parliament, Mr Aubrey Lesaso thanked and appreciated the effort made by Nyani Event Company and BPA.

He said rape and incest cases were a concern. 

Mr Lesaso said things have changed compared to the olden days citing that it was disheartening to see three-year-old babies and 80-year-old women being rape victims.

Family members nowadays, he said did not trust each other, adding that uncles, fathers and brothers were not trusted anymore.  ends