22 Jun 2025

Amid alarming statistics revealing that approximately 67 per cent of women in Botswana have faced some form of abuse, community stakeholders convened to address the pressing issue of gender-based violence (GBV) and its underlying causes.

This initiative was part of Women Empowerment Tea Talk session titled: Walking The Talk to GBV Eradication, held in Moshana on Thursday. 

Speaking during the session, Ms Lesedi Tselakgopo, director of the Moshana Women’s Empowerment Talk, emphasised that the fight against GBV required collective effort from all citizens to identify and address its root causes.

“GBV is multifaceted and affects all segments of the society,” she stated, urging community members to take responsibility in combating its prevalence.

She suggested that thorough educational programmes about GBV be incorporated into community activities to allow for the early detection and prevention of violent acts.

Highlighting observable signs of GBV, Ms Tselakgopo noted the use of vulgar language and disrespect toward elders as indicators that could signal deeper issues. 

She advocated for stronger collaboration between the community and government agencies, including the police and social services, to create a robust framework for addressing GBV.

Ms Tselakgopo outlined several strategic actions that could be taken to combat GBV locally, ranging from policy reforms and strengthening of research and data systems, to enhancing capacities of service providers that offered quality GBV services.

She also stressed the importance of involving men and boys in prevention efforts and in promoting access to Sexual Reproductive Health services, which could significantly reduce the incidences of GBV.

In a call for empowerment, businesswoman Ms Phonie Makgabenyana urged women to establish their own ventures, highlighting that financial independence could be a vital factor in reducing the risk of violence, particularly during turbulent relationship endings. 

She encouraged the importance of starting small and exploring opportunities such as multi-level marketing to gradually build financial security, pledging her support to those interested in enhancing their financial literacy.

For his part, Mr Onalenna Marumo raised concerns about an often-overlooked aspect of GBV, the denial of fathers’ rights in child-rearing post-breakup. 

He pointed out that family conflicts frequently arose over custody issues, with in-laws complicating matters by demanding dowry before fathers could actively participate in their children’s upbringing.

Kgosi Seate Marumo of Moshana acknowledged a shift in the dynamics of violence, where women, once seen primarily as victims, were now also being recognised as perpetrators.

He called on the community to delve into the root causes of GBV rather than merely addressing its symptoms, noting that traditional teachings on family management might have diminished with the abolition of cultural ceremonies. 

He observed that the rise of cohabitation in Botswana had led to increased GBV incidents due to a lack of established marital boundaries.

This community dialogue signified a unified stand against GBV in Moshana, aiming to foster a culture of respect, support and empowerment for all individuals, regardless of gender. ENDS