04 May 2025

Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases continue to increase despite legal intruments that aim to curb the problem.

North East District Council chairperson, Mr Mbaakanyi Smart said government continued to provide services to address GBV, an issue that had prevailed for a long time. Mr Mbaakanyi made the remarks during The Volunteer March Against GBV held in Kalakamati recently, calling on individuals to introspect. He encouraged the community to support victims of abuse.

Mr Smart said maybe a different strategy should be sought to solicit views on how to address GBV and suggested that more engagement meetings with communities that did not always include dikgosi, councillors and public officers.

“Let us use the churches, Pastors and business community to assist in the fight against GBV as they deal with many people,” he said.

Mr Chakalisa Isaacs shared that he lost his mother as a result of GBV and that changed his life. He appealed to men to treat others especially women, with love and respect. Ms Oarabile Maphimdani who also survived GBV advised that before stating a relationship, one should take time to know the other person and also that people should have a support system.

Botswana Police, Gender and Child Protection Division’s Sergeant Michael Mbeha said that 2025 statistics indicated that from Mapoka and Gulubane 16 cases of defilement were recorded and some victims were senior secondary school pupils who ended up falling pregnant. He said defilement were disturbing in the district.

Sgt. Mbeha also stated that this year, three cases of rape, one attempted rape, one triple murder case, one threat to kill, two assault common and other cases of neglect or ill-treated children were recorded. He urged parents to protect their children and not allow people to exploit them.

A social worker, Sekakangwe, Ms Mpho Unodwa saiD those affected were mostly orphans, People Living with Disabilities, less privileged and where parental care was lacking. ENDS