12 Dec 2022

 The war against gender-based violence (GBV) calls for the participation of all stakeholders.

In his remarks during a anti GBV walk held by different stakeholders in Serowe on Friday, deputy officer-in-charge at Serowe prison, Superintendent Mosomi Mosweu said the nation was capable of ending GBV, hence everyone should play a role in ensuring that it did not continue to find place in the society.

Superintendent Mosweu said in order to win the was against GBV there was need for mindset change by all, adding that eventually winning this war would ensure that families became safe havens for members as at times GBV was perpetuated within the family setup.

This is also in line with the presidents Reset Agenda that seeks a total mindset change and a new approach to life in order to achieve goals. 

He said adopting and practicing more effective conflict resolution methods at family level could also helping in ending GBV in the family.

Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) general manager in Serowe, Ms Dothodzo Chalashika called for an end to all forms of violence against women and children, saying they had the potential to destabilise families and communities. 

Ms Chalashika further encouraged victims of gender-based violence to always seek help and report cases to relevant authorities.

She encouraged them to overcome the fear of victimisation by opening up and seeking help, which she said would help end gender-based violence. 

In an interview with BOPA, Ms Koziba Dineo from the Department of Gender Affairs said the information from Botswana Police Service showed that GBV was prevalent in the society though some cases went unreported. 

Ms Dineo encouraged community members to unite in the fight against gender-based violence and urged them to report any forms of violence they saw taking place in their homes and in their neighbourhoods.

She said gender-based violence should not be tolerated as it could result in loss of life. ENDS