27 Nov 2022

 Gender Based Violence (GBV) is an issue still shrouded in secrecy, therefore making it a challenge to fight. This was said by speakers at the launch of the 16 Days Against Gender Based Violence in Jwaneng on Friday.

GBV activist, Ms Albertinah Milton said for the issue, which she labelled the most prevalent human rights violation, to be tackled to success the society would have to change and be more open.

“As a society, we should stop burying issues of gender based violence.

It is a shame that we still have people who conceal such issues for the sake of fear of tarnishing their family names.

Our society is also not helping because it always asks a victim what they did to the perpetrators that led to them being violated,” Ms Milton said.

Therefore, she said in light of it all, those individuals willing to come out in the open against the pandemic should be applauded.

“We should be willing to take the bull by its horns, especially us women because we are the most affected by issues of GBV. As a nation, we have come so far to still be fighting GBV while we should be building economic growth and sustainable legacy,” she said.

Ms Milton said GBV was not only a concern locally, but also globally with statistics indicating that a third of the global women’s population had experienced violence at one stage of their lives.
She added that in Botswana, such statistics translated to about 67 per cent of the total women’s population, a fraction she said, was too large to ignore.

“We need to stand up and reduce these statistics because violence can lead to victims suffering life term damage, such as HIV and even death. It is time for women to introspect and stop turning a blind eye when they see a fellow woman or child being abused.

They should stop burying issues for the sake of family names.  This is failing ourselves as women and it will make us victims for good,” she cautioned.

On campaigns against GBV, Ms Milton said it was a pity that the noise was only made when there was a recent killing, with total silence following as soon as a week.

She advised that pressure campaigns against GBV needed to be constant even outside commemorations.

“Sometimes aggression is a necessity to break this cycle of abuse,” she said.

Jwaneng mayor, Ms Olga Ditsie said for violence to be defeated, each individual should commit to playing a part.

“We must stand united. United does not necessarily mean fighting as a group, but each individual contributing wherever they are.

This day should be used to build a resilient, empowered, confident woman with a strong mental will rather than feel pity for ourselves, and yet do nothing,” she said.

Ms Ditsie said building such a model woman went as far as equipping themselves with business skills so as to build their financial independence.

Presenting statistics of criminal activities related to GBV for the Jwaneng policing area, Sub-inspector Catherine Wamakala stated that last year from January to November, they registered a total of 190 common assaults offences, 49 assault occasioning actual bodily harm, 21 rapes, 26 defilements and 15 threats to kill.

She said all of the offences were perpetrated by men except for just 10 under assault occasioning bodily harm.

She said for the same period this year, they had registered 63 common assaults, 38 assaults occasioning bodily harm, 35 rapes, 43 defilements and 16 threats to kill, all perpetrated by men.

“All these statistics indicate that our town needs prayers. During our investigations we have noted that women also abuse men, especially emotionally, only that men fear to report,” she said. ends