22 Nov 2023

A midwifery nurse and sexual reproductive health specialist, Ms Onalenna Moseki-Kago has advised that it was important that consent be sought and given whenever couples engage in sex.

Speaking at a workshop organised for dikgosi and church ministers by Thamaga/Kumakwane Constituency Office at Signature Hotel in Thamaga on November 20, Ms Moseki-Kago cautioned that regardless of the level of the relationship, whether married or not, sexual consent had to be given to avoid violation of the law.

Ms Moseki-Kago’s presentation aroused a heated debate among participants who sought clarification on sexual consent especially among married couples as they believed they had a right to conjugal rights whenever possible.

She added that sexual abuse remains evident among pregnant women attended to at health facilities as in some cases the pregnancies resulted from non-consensual sex. She stated that in other cases, the women contracted sexually transmitted infections which pose a threat to their pregnancies.

Ms Moseki-Kago said various tests on pregnant pick signs of sexual abuse, and called on men to respect the decisions of their partners and spouses on sexual matters.  

Sub-Inspector Portia Diraditsile of Thamaga Police told the participants that sexual consent remains important between spouses.

She stated that engaging in sex with someone without their consent was against the law, and could lead to arrest if a report is filed with the police.

Kgosi Mmualefe Kgosidibe of Ramaphatle said the workshop was an eye opener as he realised that many things were done out of ignorance.

Kgosi Kgosidibe said sexual abuse remained one of the major headaches in many relationships, and it was important that all stakeholders should work together to address the problem.

Pastor Botsang Mokaba from the Ministers Fraternal said he was thankful for these deliberations as the issues affected members and non-members alike.

He said the workshop opened their minds to learn new strategies of dealing with issues that affect members of their congregations.

Member of Parliament for Thamaga/Kumakwane constituency, Mr Palelo Motaosane, said the objective of the workshop was to capacitate dikgosi and religious leaders with skills to deal with sexually related conflicts.

He said men remained the leading perpetrators of sexual abuse and it was important to educate them. ENDS