25 Nov 2021

Domestic violence puts immense strain on various sectors of the economy and ultimately affects the nation’s development trajectory.

This was said by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi during the launch of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in Shakawe yesterday.

He said costs associated with GBV did not only affect the individuals concerned but the nation at large as funds used to deal with such cases could be utilised in more productive activities.

  Stating that ending violence against women and children was a mammoth task requiring a collective and rapid response, he called on civil society, private sector and media to join forces with government to prevent and eliminate GBV.

“As a nation, we need to embark on a mindset change which includes setting new priorities, adopting new approaches and implementation of strategies for the benefit of everybody,” he said.

President Masisi appealed to the nation to prioritise changing socialization of the boy child saying children and youth should be taught to shape the way they perceived gender, respect for human rights and culture of acceptance  which would lead to  understanding and respect.

The President also emphasised the need to listen and believe GBV survivors as a first step to break the cycle of abuse. 

He said Batswana should hold each other accountable and stand firm whenever they witnessed GBV manifestation in all spheres of public life.

Dr Masisi said this year’s theme, “Unite to end gender based violence now”, called for concerted efforts from all key stakeholders in addressing the global crime of violence against women and girls.

Quoting the 2018 Botswana National Relationship Study, he said 37 per cent of women and 21 per cent of men had experienced some form of violence in their lifetime.

In Ngamiland statistics indicated 34 per cent of women and seven per cent of men had suffered intimate partner violence.

“Though these figures are less than those at the national level, still they indicate that women continue to suffer abuse at the hands of their intimate partners. It is therefore imperative that men who are most perpetrators should make a deliberate decision to protect their partners and stop the abuse,” he said.

He noted that the incidence of GBV increased not just in numbers but also in gruesomeness during lockdowns and curfews imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19.

President Masisi cited reports of children as young as two years being defiled by their own fathers.

Such incidents were shocking, embarrassing and devastating to the baby, family members as well as the nation at large, said the President.

He said the most vulnerable members of  society including women, children and people living with disabilities should be protected.Dr Masisi challenged all to join hands with survivors, activists, leaders, decision makers and the business community to take part in preventing GBV and protecting survivors.

Acknowledging First Lady Neo Masisi’s GBV awareness raising efforts, he disclosed that she had been granted an award by the Organisation of African Ladies for Development to promote advocacy on GBV-related issues.

The project targets community leaders including dikgosi, religious leaders and civil society.ends