Late reports of GBV worrisome

Botswana Gender Based Violence Centre (BGBVC) has urged members of the public to keep the momentum of raising awareness on GBV beyond the16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV) which lapsed this past weekend.

Programmes Director at BGBVC, Kabelo Poloko says that activities taking place around these 16 days should go beyond 16 days and rather be part of people’s daily activities.

“We appreciate the response by all stakeholders with regard to

GBV during the 16 days of activism.

The level of awareness raised during this period should be sustained for us to be able to reduce GBV incidence,” he said. His observation is that most corporate companies are capable of making the change, but only surface during 16 days just to be part of the movement. “We need to see corporates being involved and working closely with civil society organisations to address GBV at the workplace, community and family level beyond the 16 days of activism. This could help us build long-term campaigns from the 16 days of activism,” he said, indicating however, that more people now utilise their shelter and counselling sessions. This year, BGBVC has provided a total of 1 363 people in Gaborone, among them 110 reported sexual violence post GBV services while 1 253 reported having experienced physical and emotional violence.

Poloko emphasises that a majority of clients were women aged between 15 and 34 years. He adds that BGBVC provides comprehensive post GBV care services to any person that reports having experienced any form of GBV, therefore people should not hesitate to utilise their services.

His worry though is that people still seek help late and this is due to both personal and social deterrents.

“I think we need to do a lot in teaching people on what GBV is and how can one identify its forms so that people can seek help early. In Gaborone, BGBVC has a one-stop-centre that is able to provide psychosocial support services including shelter, clinical intervention, and legal support services,” Poloko explains. Despite their efforts to address the GBV pandemic, there is no significant change as most of the people come to report when the situation is bad especially when GBV happens between intimate partners, family members or people known to be living under such difficult circumstances.