Botswana: The Ministry of Sports and Arts in Botswana organized interdepartmental games for the various sections of the administration. The aim of these games was to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence on Women and Children.
The employees and stakeholders of the various organizations took significant interest in participating in these games. The celebration was hosted for highlighting the importance of fighting against gender based violence.
Sixteen days of activism is a initiate which is commemorated in several nations across the globe. The aim of this observation to unite for the common goal of ending gender based violence.
The games were under the theme, “#No Excuse! Unite! To End Violence Against Women and Children”, the event aimed to raise awareness about Gender-Based Violence (GBV) while promoting unity and collective action.
The games were held at the Ramotswa Showgrounds, and were preceded by a health walk from East Gate Mall.
Ga-Malete District Commissioner, Esau Mbanga, delivered a rousing speech noting that “let us remember the mothers who will never return home, the daughters whose futures have been stolen, and the children who have witnessed unimaginable horrors. Their voices echo in our hearts, and urge us to take action.”
Mbanga cited alarming statistics on GBV, revealing that every ten minutes, a woman is murdered by the hands of someone she knows. “This statistic is not merely a number, but represents the tragic end of lives filled with potential, dreams, and aspirations,” he said
He alluded that this number should be a reminder that we cannot afford to be silent or complacent in the face of such brutality.
Activities for the day included aerobics, volleyball, netball, and football. Mbanga emphasized that “every game they play should a testament to our resolve to create a safer world for all.
Participants of the activity organized by Ministry of Sports and Arts were called to action and urged to stand in solidarity and advocate for systemic mindset change and most importantly, stand together in solidarity,” he appealed.