04 Oct 2023

Maun community has been implored to fully utilise the newly constructed Gender and Child Protection Centre, which will be officially opened on October 25.

Situated next to Central Transport Organisation, the facility will create a conducive environment mostly for children to freely report incidents of gender- based violence.

Giving a motivation during the 27^th anniversary celebration of Ninifi Apostolic Daily Misison Church, in Maun Sunday, head of Gender and Child Protection at Maun Police, Sub-inspector Segopolo Lefatshe said the centre had been established to afford services to victims of gender-based violence.

Incidents of gender-based violence, especially rape and defilement, he said were alarming in their region, adding that statistics were high and likely way under reported with much hidden abuse.

Sub-insp. Lefatshe said the facility would deal with general issues of gender-based violence including child abuse, noting that children under the age of 18 would be afforded an opportunity to air their views and ensure their cases were accorded the urgency they deserved in terms of response.

Some victims of gender-based violence, he said, had been unable to report incidents personally and called all to utilise the centre, which he said would provide services such as counselling, protection, mediation and psycho-social support to victims, among others. 

Sub-insp. Lefatshe also appealed to faith-based organisations to join forces with the police to preach the gospel of child protection in the society. Parents, he said, should take the lead in protecting their children from any source of harm, adding that child negligence remained a concern.

“We bank on churches to help us advocate for child rights and welfare and also to tackle gender- based violence issues,” he added.

For his part, Assistant Superintendent Kgakgamatso Koboyatshwene urged members of the church and the entire community to look after their children, noting that every child had the right to live free from violence, exploitation and abuse.

Crime, he said remained a challenge as incidents of rape, defilement, house break-ins and stock theft were worrisome. 

ASP Koboyatshwene pleaded with churches to dedicate time to pray for ills faced by the society.

The government, he said recognised a church as one organisation that could help with  challenges that the society was faced with. ASP Koboyatshwene said excessive alcohol consumption was contributing to societal issues.

One of the leaders in the church, Bishop Anneng Goikothayang concurred that societal ills required God’s intervention, noting that as religious organisations, they were equally concerned.

He appreciated that law enforcement agencies were making efforts to restore peace and order, but noted that their efforts were frustrated by parents who destroyed children’s future by selling them drugs while some gave children drugs to sell at schools.

Parents and churches should be seen helping government to shape the future of the children, said the Bishop, adding that sexual relationship, teenage pregnancy and alcohol consumption were some of the ills that needed to be tackled.

Bishop Goikothayang called on parents to mould their children to become good citizens and better leaders of tomorrow. 

He said they should not be seen worsening or contributing to problems, but rather helping to bring answers to challenges that the society faced.

Giving a brief history of the church, Archbishop Gabaitsiwe Mathemba said it was formed in 1992 after a breakaway from Saint Eli, but managed to uphold its principles, hence it was celebrating 27 years of existence.

Just like any organisation, churches, he said, face challenges that required the congregation to exercise patience, team spirit and prayer to overcome.

“We went through challenges but we did not lose hope because we had faith that all shall come to pass in prayer,” he said. 

He thanked all who contributed towards the growth and success of the church. ends