Botswana: The finalists of the Miss Botswana Pageant have come together to raise awareness regarding Gender Based Violence. The girls attended a orientation programme fto coincide with the sixteen days of activism against Gender-Based Violence.
The aim of the event was to prepare the women for the upcoming Mrs Botswana Pageant. The girls have a highly crucial role to play in the promotion of human rights, gender rights gender sensitivity.
The session was hosted as a part of the preparations of the girls as they got ready for the prestigious Mrs Botswana title. The ministry of gender, spoke highly about the role played by the finalists in addressing and understanding GBV.
It would a part of the Mrs Botswana representatives assignment to to attend GBV cases across the country. This initiative will contribute to the broader fight against violence and its impact on society.
The National Gender Commissioner, Njiramanda Mbewe has highlighted the importance of innovation in the finalists proposed projects. She shed light on the different forms of GBV, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial violence.
The National Gender Commissioner has shared that they have witnessed alarming statistics for Gender-Based Violence. They have shared that emotional abuse is the most common form of violence.
Mbewe also spoke about the broader scope of GBV. She said that it affects not only women and children but also men and the LGBTQ+ community.
The reigning Mrs Botswana, Mrs Oampata Faith Leroy, shared her personal journey in this regard, She has encouraged the finalists to embrace their unique qualities while balancing the responsibilities of work, motherhood.
The Mrs Botswana Pageant winners also have to manage their potential future roles as ambassadors of the crown. The former Pageant Queen also shared her own childhood experiences with GBV. Through this reflection gave the officials and insight into how GBV incidents can affect personal Life.
Nonofo Leteane from NAHPA and Ntsayagae from the Ministry of Local Government also addressed the finalists. Their remarks focus on health, wellness, and the importance of reporting GBV cases.
Mrs Botswana 2018, guided the participants on pageantry etiquette. She asked the finalists to maintain respect, dignity, and submission in their roles.
This orientation marked an essential step in preparing the finalists to work impactfully on the fight against GBV. At the same time, the aim was to prepare them for the upcoming Mrs Botswana competition. She also spoke to the participants about their potential representation at Mrs Universe internationally.
