GBV Activism Awards launched
Local NGO, Men and Boys for Gender Equality, have launched the inaugural Gender Based Violence Activism Awards.
Deeply worried and committed to finding lasting solutions to the high rise in GBV incidents, the NGO in collaboration with other stakeholders announced the awards on Tuesday this week.
Th i s initiative was conceptualised to encourage members of the community especially men and boys in educating their communities about ending Gender Based Violence and promoting healthy lifestyles for women, men and children. The awards also seek to appreciate and recognise the efforts that different entities make towards ending GBV which has become prevalent in Botswana.
Individuals and organisations will be awarded in 13 categories that include: Best Government Department, Best Social Club, Best Individual Effort, Best Corporate Companies, Best in Arts, Best Religious Institution, Best Media House, Best Local
Authori t y, Best Feminis t Organisation/Movement, Best Leadership, Best Village Initiative and Best Community Initiative.
The awards also aim to mobilise communities to actively engage in eradicating Gender Based Violence. It will form part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence which is commemorated annually from November 25th to December 10th. The awards ceremony will be held after the 16 days of activism.
Besides this initiative, Men and Gender for Boys is also behind the MONNA TIA initiative, where influential men have been selected to become ambassadors and contribute to ending GBV. They will also be awarded on the basis of their work in ending GBV.
The entrants of the awards will carry out different activities within their communities and document them through photography or videos and share the work with the organisation through various platforms to be announced. Their work will be shared on the organisation’s social media platforms and the public will have a chance to vote for their favourite.
Head of the NGO Desmond Lun g a explained in an interview that the whole idea behind the awards is to encourage the public and different stakeholders to play an active role and be part of the solution when it comes to the fight against GBV. “We want the community to be part of the solution,” he said.
He said that they will have a panel of judges who will select deserving finalists. “There will be three finalists from each category,” he said adding that they have partnered with UNDP, Socialite and RB2. Other partners include Chicco Nare, and Malebogo Molefhe.
Men and Boys for Gender Equality is a registered Non
Governmental Organisation, founded in October 2013. It focuses on gender transformative interventions with both men and boys to take action to end violence against women and children; prevent HIV and reduce alcohol consumption through interactive participation in Sexual and Reproductive health issues.