16 Nov 2021

Women who depend on men for financial or  any form of assistance often become susceptible to Gender Based Violence (GBV).

This was said by Letlhakane Police Station Commander, Superintendent Michael Maphephu after a walk against GBV in Letlhakane on Saturday.

Supt Maphephu said the day was also intended to commemorate Stepping Stone’s 15 years of existence.

Given the number of cases  reported in his area, Supt Maphephu cautioned women to desist from seeking sponsored outings from men.

This, according to Supt Maphephu could land women into traps from the men who sponsored their night outs.

Moreover, Supt Maphephu  cautioned women against associating with strangers and advised those going on night outs to be in the company of others who could rescue them from GBV traps.

He dismissed the perception  the high rate of rape cases in  Letlhakane was due to the village’s proximity to the mines. Instead, he said that most of the reported cases involved people who were not working for the mines.

Supt Maphephu condemned the escalating cases of incest as being against Setswana cultural norms and customs.

Furthermore, Supt Maphephu said men should adopt a mindset change and learn to accept rejection.

Youth Clinic Nurse at Letlhakane Primary Hospital, Ms Julia Kgampi advised parents to always keep an eye on their children and ensured the environment they lived in was safe and secure.

She said school holidays exposed children to sexual abuse which resulted in teenage pregnancies.

She advised children to report cases of abuse to police, teachers and the church.

A GBV survivor, Ms Morapedi Aluxwae said she was physically and emotionally abused by the father of her children.

Ms Aluxwae who has six children and two grandchildren, said she had fled her home for safety. Ends