Violent crimes perpetrators should account
As responses to eliminate Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remain challenges in Botswana, more should be done to ensure that the perpetrators of violent and intrusive crimes fully account for their heinous acts.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi made the remarks when delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday. Masisi said it is disheartening that while the country has tried various interventions to combat GBV, more reports of horrendous acts of abuse continue to emerge.
He stated that children and women are demeaned, bullied, defiled, raped and murdered compounded by disturbing trends of cyber bullying and rising incidents of missing persons.
Masisi said social ills, particularly tensions in gender relations in society, are worrisome hence the need to introspect on whether these social ills are consistent with cultural values.
“Our values and norms as a society in the treatment of girls and women in relation to boys and men right from the family unit have been eroded. Ke keletso ya rona go nna chaba ee boitshwaro jo bontle, go tshidisanya sentle go sa kgathalesege gore o motho wa letso lefe, bong bofe, tumelo efe kgotsa seemo sefe. We need to ensure that the perpetrators of violent and intrusive crimes fully account for their heinous acts,” he said.
He further stated it was imperative that all revive the strong family and community structures, values that produce and nurture responsible citizens who regard and treat others with dignity.
However, he revealed that the government continues to strengthen the criminal justice system including stiffening penalties and rehabilitation of offenders to stem the tide of social ills.
“I take this opportunity to thank the various stakeholders including the sporting world that have collaborated in various activities that promote acceptable norms and social behaviour within the society,” he said.
Masisi further applauded the First Lady, Neo Masisi and various entities for their partnership aimed at raising awareness about GBV. Moreover, the President urged all stakeholders to continue such noble efforts towards eliminating all gender-based barriers that limit enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms.
Addressing child protection and development issues, Masisi revealed the government’s commitment in providing a safe and enabling environment for children to grow and reach their full potential.
“As such, the review of the orphans and vulnerable children’s policy framework will be completed during the second Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP). The child friendly police service centre established in Gaborone in 2020 has now been expanded to Francistown, Shakawe and Letlhakane. This service will make it easy for reporting of cases concerning the abuse of children,” Masisi said.
Back in 2021 the then Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security amended the penal code to increase penalties for sexual offences from a minimum sentence of 10-20 years imprisonment or to a maximum term of life imprisonment. Then gender activists welcomed the move stating that the minimum penalties of 10 years imprisonment was lenient to the perpetrators as compared to the painful emotions and trauma that victims live through.
They argued that some survivors face extremely difficult, painful emotions and experiences that they struggle to cope with for a very long time. Moreover they expressed a worry that the perpetrators used to serve short jail terms to a point of being released whilst their victims were still struggling to cope with the aftermath of the assault.
For years, the country has been faced with big social ills problem as women live in deepest fear of rapists causing havoc, dozens of women losing their lives at the hands of their lovers as men who are mostly perpetrators continue to violate women as they please.
The cases increased immensely following the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country back in March 2020 following lockdowns as women did not have anywhere to escape from their abusers with some family members demonstrating behaviours that their close family members were not aware of.
The restrictions had also halted efforts that were put in place to fight the scourge.
However, the police through community outreach have been sensitising the public about GBV and encouraging them to report these cases.