Botswana: Dikgosi Thwane in Kgatleng District have been urged to speak boldly against Gender Based Violence in their communities. Speaking at a leadership training workshop on Gender Based Violence at Mochudi on Thursday, DiKgosi Thwane of Artesia Village in Kgatleng District, who also seats in the National Gender Commission, urged Dikgosi in the District to stand in solidarity against Gender Based Violence.
The event was held in collaboration with the Department of Gender Affairs under the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture in Mochudi with the intention of capacitating the village leadership on GBV response.
When addressing the participants, Kgosi Thwane emphasized that GBV is the most prevalent human rights violation in the world. Therefore it needs ultimate attention. He said that he believes that the workshop equipped the leadership with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle GBV cases in their communities.
“It is important to note that the government has initiated policies such as Child Protection Act and Sexual Offenders Registry Act in support of the GBV response. It is, therefore, important to address GBV issues,” he said.
For his part, Kgosi Rakgathi of Dikgonnye village advised men to open up and go for counselling whenever they go through life challenges in order to avoid taking decisions that may result in GBV.
In conclusion, Kgosi Thwane commended the attendees for gracing the event despite the unfavourable weather conditions. He further encouraged them to go and preach the gospel against Gender Based Violence.
As per gender-based Violence Prevention and support centre gender-based violence is a violation of human rights in Botswana. They also stated, “We all have Freedom from Violence, and it is a fundamental human right that has to be respected, in addition… gender-based Violence undermines a person’s sense of self-worth and self-esteem.”
GBV affects not only physical health but also mental health and may lead to self-harm, isolation, diseases, depression and suicidal attempts.
