GBV costs Botswana’s economy about US$384 million per year
Youth from Kweneng embarked on a 7.5km walk against Gender Based Violence (GBV) over the weekend in an effort to sensitise community members about the scourge.
The walk, which was hosted under the theme, ‘Lets Act Together To Stop GBV’ was organised through Chiro, a youth movement within the Catholic church.
Event Organizer, Emmanuel Lesele told The Midweek Sun that the walk was organised by the youth in areas including, Mogoditshane, Ledumadumane, Mmopane, Metsimotlhabe, Kopong, Lentsweletau and Molepolole. According to Lesele, the youth decided to become part of the solution to rising GBV statistics in the country. The walk was from Mmopane to Mogoditshane main Kgotla and the intention was to sensitise communities along the A12 road about causes of GBV, its effects and measures that could be put in place to address the challenge. “Our mandate is to build a GBV free generation since Chiro exists to respond to any issue that affects the community whenever need arises,“said Lesele. Lesele further noted that the church has a role to play in building a better nation and as such, coming up with such an initiative drives the message. He explained that everyone from different churches and non-believers were free to join in the campaign hence the use of neutral places like the Kgotla and the Bodiba Mall open space and the A12 road. Member of Parliament for Lentsweletau-Mmopane, Nnaniki Makwinja said at the event that the most recent statistics highlight that almost 67 percent of women have experienced physical violence, and one in five women have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime. Makwinja said GBV comes at a significant cost not just to the women concerned but also to their families, communities and the country at large. She noted that it is estimated that the loss in productivity associated with intimate partner violence is costly.
“Given that the current Botswana GDP is US$17.4 billion, the estimated cost of GBV to the Botswana economy is US$384 million per year. It is clear that the fight against poverty and injustice will only bear fruit if we invest in addressing the root causes of gender inequalities and GBV in our families, societies and country at large,” said Makwinja. She highlighted that if Botswana is to be successful in the fight against GBV, there is need to see changes of attitudes in society related to masculinity, further stating that there should be continued engagement with men and particularly young boys in challenging ideas of what it means to be a man. “This of course must not be limited to engaging the minority of men who have committed violence themselves, but also include those men who allow violence, through their silence.” Makwinja said young boys need role models who challenge violence against women and who show them that such violence is a sign of weakness rather than strength.