For his part, the team leader for Men and Boys for Gender Equality, who were the facilitators, Mr Desmond Lunga reiterated that GBV escalated during the lockdown, adding that it was probably influenced by stress and frustration.

Mr Lunga said it was vital to reach out to men and assist them to deal with stress through anger management and emotional intelligence.

He said it was important for anger management to be extended to the boy child for them to grow up knowing how to better manage emotions.

He said they were confident that there was progress on GBV, as seen by reports to relevant authorities.

“The cases reported indicate that people are now aware of GBV, and we are also happy that entities such as the police and councils have established GBV units to handle such issues,” he said.

Mr Lunga urged private companies to also have such arrangements in place.

Deputy district commissioner (DDC) for Letlhakeng, Ms Ikgopoleng Lekoape urged women to stop blaming themselves every time their partners abused them.

“As women we have a tendency to blame ourselves when our partners abuse us. Such can only act to exacerbate the abuse because even if one was wrong, they do not deserve to be abused,” she said.

Ms Lekoape said women, as the majority of GBV victims, were better placed to come out and challenge it.

She also cautioned the community not to forget the boy child in their efforts to assist women and the girl child.

Jwaneng acting DDC, Ms Tshepiso Leepo said it was important for the workshop to drill community leaders as they were better placed to fight GBV in their communities.

The workshop encompassed communities of Mabutsane and Letlhakeng sub districts. ENDS