02 Mar 2021

The Director of Moeladilotlhoko News Boiler;  an online media company, Mr Tshepo Sethibe says there is need for all to engage and find a lasting solution to Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Mr Sethibe said this during a presentation at the seminar organised by Peculiar Dreams recently at Ledubeng Park. Peculiar Dreams is a non-profit making organisation focused on women empowerment.

He said there was need to forge partnership with chiefs and  communities, social workers, teachers, and local police officers to collectively find lasting solutions to reduce gender based violence.

He also called for initiatives that complement and reinforce existing gender and protection policies. 

“GBV remains a challenge to all of us and it appears to be much larger than individuals affected. Let us raise alarm where we see disturbing and suspicious incidents,” Mr Sethibe said.

He said it would take a community to root out GBV and therefore advised all to remember that GBV statistics were not just numbers, but were real women and girls, who have a right to live happy and fulfilling lives.

He said their office was inundated with GBV related messages, adding that they received more than 400 mails on a daily basis.

He shared that although they were often accused of exposing and ridiculing people in their reporting, their intention was to uncover and report issues as they were.

“Most homes are wrecked as a result of GBV, we need to be cognizant of what we do in our homes and play an active role in combating GBV,” he said. 

For her part, Mother of Hope Director, Ms Kgomotso Tshwenyego said great interventions towards combating GBV include how people viewed its victims, stressing that people should refrain from blaming the victims.

She shared that community attitudes and behaviours should demonstrate zero tolerance for GBV, adding that it began with an individual when it spread to the community.

“Most of us are deeply rooted in patriarchal ideologies that at best ignore, and at worst condone; violence against women. We need to make our voices heard strongly enough and condemn this national scourge,” she said. Ends