17 Nov 2023

Botswana, as a member of the United Nations, participates in celebrating and commemorating various international gender days  that includes the International Men's Day (IMD), 16 Days of Activism Against Violence on Women and Children, and the International Women's Day.

The IMD is observed on November 19, while the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence on Women and Children takes place from November 25 to December 10. The International Women's Day is commemorated in March.

Recently, the District Gender Committee held a meeting in Francistown to discuss and plan for the upcoming IMD and 16 Days of Activism Against Violence on Women and Children. During the meeting, Mr Tshenolo Molapi, a Gender Officer at the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport, and Culture, addressed the stakeholders.

Mr Molapi explained that the IMD focused on men's health, improving gender relations, highlighting male role models, and promoting positive expressions of masculinity. This year, the national event will be held in Pitsane, launched by the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport, and Culture,Mr Tumiso Rakgare,  under the theme 'Zero Male Suicide.'

Botswana's suicide rates are a matter of concern, with the male suicide rate being four times higher than that of females. While Pitsane hosts the national event for IMD, Mr Molapi emphasised the importance of other places in the country joining in the commemoration.

Although the main event will be held in Pitsane, Francistown City has planned several activities to be held at the Waterhole Sports Ground on November 23, including a Sunday Soccer tournament on November 26, a Youth Conference on November 30, and Pitso ya Borre scheduled for December 7 at one of the designated kgotlas within the city.

Ms Maipelo Mogatwane, a Senior Gender Officer at the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture in Francistown, shared information about the upcoming 16 Days of Activism Against Violence on Women and Children. The national launch will take place in Tsolamosese, Mogoditshane District on November 25, under the theme 'Unite! Invest to prevent Violence against Women and Children.'

The campaign aims to raise awareness about gender-based violence as a human rights issue, particularly in hard-to-reach communities. It also promotes active engagement of men and boys in discussions about preventing and combating violence at home and in communities. Furthermore, it seeks to strengthen partnerships between government, civil society, faith-based organizations, private sector, and the media to raise awareness surrounding Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Ms Mogatwane highlighted the 2018 Botswana National Relationship study, which revealed that 37 per cent of women and 21 per cent of men have experienced some form of GBV in their lifetime. Emotional intimate partnership violence was reported at 31per cent for women and 7 per cent for men.

The Francistown City has organised various activities in collaboration with community members, which include community conversations on GBV, Youth Forums, Pitso's for both men and women, Community Prayers Against GBV, community marches against GBV, and panel discussions. BOPA