11 Feb 2021

The work of the recently-launched Inter-Ministerial Committee, to guide and direct the national response to gender based violence (GBV), has started in earnest.

According to Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs Ms Anna Mokgethi, who is also committee chairperson, the drawing up of the terms of reference was already in progress.

Speaking in an interview, she said the committee was cognisant of the importance of moving with speed and urgency to ensure the assignment was a success.

“As we are all aware, Batswana are eagerly awaiting government intervention and mitigation against GBV,” she said.

Ms Mokgethi said the committee would come up with a robust and effective response plan with realistic timelines that would be aligned to the National Strategy towards Ending Gender Based Violence.

The committee’s mission includes strengthening institutional capacity for implementation of the strategy.

Established by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in furtherance of a parliamentary motion calling for a coordinated approach to fight the GBV scourge, the committee comprises two main sub-structures, cabinet and technical.

The cabinet sub-committee was responsible for governance and human rights issues while the technical one would handle policy implementation, advocacy, public education and awareness, research and information and finance matters as well as provide technical expertise, explained Ms Mokgethi.

Apart from Ms Mokgethi, other ministers making up the committee are those for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration; Defence, Justice and Security; Finance and Economic Development; Basic Education; Local Government and Rural Development; Health and Wellness and their permanent secretaries.

Also represented in the committee are Gender Commission, UN, Business Botswana, NGO Council, faith- based organisations, Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, trade unions, Editors Forum, media, academia and shelters for victims of abuse.   

Ms Mokgethi explained that the committee’s composition was based on the level of involvement in gender issues.

The minister noted a disturbing trend which indicated an upsurge in cases exacerbated by last year’s COVID-19 lockdowns.

Quoting a 2018 Botswana national relationship study, she said 37 per cent of women and 21 per cent of men reported experiencing some form of GBV; be it emotional, physical or sexual, at least once in their lifetime.

According to study, the most common form of GBV experienced was emotional intimate partner violence at 31 per cent of women and seven per cent men, Ms Mokgethi said.ENDS