Botswana: The First Lady of the Republic of Botswana, Kaone Boko, has donated essential items to Maun Police Child-Friendly Centre. The donation was made on thursday to promote the safety and security of the children.
The First Lady of Botswana, who is less than six months old in this role wants to help ensure a safe environment for children. The donation included two bunk beds, Lenovo tablets, storybooks, colouring books and soccer balls. Other items, which remain unlisted and undisclosed were also given as donation from the First Lady’s end.
The First Lady of Botswana has appreciated the Botswana Police Service (BPS) for their efforts to prevent and tackle Gender Based Violence (GBV) and crimes involving children. The first lady claimed that some of these facilities are very important to help keep children safe. The Police Child-Friendly Centre have so far changed the face of child policing.
These child friendly centers are helping keep the young victims safe and secure while the police fights for justice for them.
First Lady Boko said that she was happy to note that Botswana continues to remain commitment to international conventions. African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was established for protecting children.
She also promised BPS that her office will support for such establishments through education and donations.
Furthermore, Assistant Commissioner of Police Gontlafetse Segolodi, who is Deputy Director, Gender and Child Protection Branch, recieved the donation. He noted that BPS has established eight Child Friendly Centres around the country.
He said the Centres are being run by professionals in different disciplines like psychology, early childhood development and law to ensure that cases involving children are handled with sensitivity and expertise.
Police Child Friendly Centres have helped in organizing virtual court proceedings. Through these centres, minors can testify in a safe and comfortable environment without further trauma.
The Botswana Police Service has thanked the First Lady Kaone Boko for her donation and support.