Botswana: The annual Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) Operation, code-named “Operation Basadi XV”, kick-started today (04/12/2023) across the country.
The three-day Operation, which simultaneously involves Women Police Networks in Southern Africa, aims at tackling Gender Based Violence (GBV) issues in the Region.
As part of the Operational activities, the Botswana Police Service (BPS) South Central Division Women Police Network and other organisation Branches convened in Gaborone to deliberate on strategies pertaining to GBV. The Operation targeted at arresting wanted persons involved in the abuse of women and children.
When giving a keynote address, Lorato Moalusi of Botswana Gender-Based Violence and Prevention Centre said GBV is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world, and Botswana is no exception. She noted that globally, violence against women and girls is the most affected group, with perpetrators known and unknown.
However, in the case of Botswana, men commit a majority of GBV. Moalusi said according to Botswana National Relationship Study (2018), 37% of women and 21% of men have experienced some form of violence in their lifetime. She said it is important as a society to introspect cultural norms and practices as they have an effect in issues of GBV.
She said Botswana has great laws that need to be implemented in order to ensure justice for the victims and survivors, adding that there was a need to develop robust responses, including investment in prevention.
She observed that homes were training institutions for children, hence urged parents to ensure that they give them a decent upbringing. She said that children who experience or witness violence in childhood tend to imitate abusers in future.
Earlier, when giving welcome remarks, the Deputy Divisional Commander, CID, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Letsweletse Tlhasana, said crime was prevalent in their policing area and called on law enforcement officers to work together in order to achieve positive results.
Tlhasana said it was time for Batswana to start addressing the root causes of GBV, adding that it was evident that the boy child is not adequately trained in the fundamental basics of becoming a responsible man. He urged parents to desist from abusive acts in the presence of their children, as they easily emulate them when mature.
For her part, the Deputy Director of Strategy Development and Performance Monitoring, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ada Mabongo, said the objectives of the event were to, among others, sensitise participants on GBV and Drug related issues, as well as to offer public education and share experiences on handling GBV matters. She noted that networking with other organisations and sharing information is vital.
The event, held under the theme “Walk against GBV and child abuse”, started with an 8-kilometer walk and was attended by law enforcement officers from the Botswana Police Service, Botswana Defence Force, Botswana Prisons Services and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.