GBV IN MOTION PICTURE
Botswana maintains highest rate of rape cases
Botswana currently has the highest rate of reported rape per capita in the world, something that needs to be addressed with immediate effect, Gaborone West Police Station Commander, Superintendent Knight Molosiwa has said.
He warned at the launch of the Gender Based Violence (GBV) documentary titled, ‘Restoration of Hope,’ that it is everyone’s responsibility to report cases of violence. However, he is worried that some reported cases are later withdrawn. “It is also not a statistic that we are proud of as a country,” he said.
The documentary, a work of Incepta Communications, showcases the ugly reality of GBV in communities and what needs to be done to amend the situation.
Managing Director, Thabo Majola explained that they use creativity and ideas to positively impact lives, hence this project.
“We looked at the many talents we had such as our ability to tell stories. We noticed alarming statistics of GBV and decided to become part of the solution,” Majola said, adding that the discussions then led them to the Botswana Gender- Based Violence Prevention and Support Centre (BGBVC), a local organisation at the frontline of the GBV battle.
Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Keabetswe Lesiela said it is evident that with some cases of GBV, reports are made but no action is taken. He however discouraged the withdrawing of cases.
“It is important that as a community, we support survivors and help them report cases. Survivors often withdraw cases because they fear for their life or fear victimisation from the society,” he said.
“As a parent, caregiver or sibling it is your prerogative to report any form of violence against someone you know,” added Lesiela.
According to the National Relationship Study 2018, one in nine women raped reported their cases to the Police, and one quarter of all cases are withdrawn for various reasons.
Lesiela strongly believes that the GBV fight requires collaborations in order to succeed. “It requires all of us to pull in the same direction. We need to proactively define the future of the Botswana we want to live in, and it is possible to live in a Botswana where women and children are not exposed to GBV,” he said.
He said government has done well to enact the sexual offenders’ registry which keeps track of offenders to deter them from continuing to commit such offences.
“We have been made aware that there are special courts to deal timeously with sexual offence related cases. I believe that many of you here today are also making similar strides to fight GBV in your spaces which is exactly what Botswana needs,” he added.
Programmes Director at BGBVC, Kabelo Poloko said it was a huge task to tap on the skills and knowledge that Inceptor has to advance GBV prevention messages. Social change can only be achieved if all stakeholders work together and speak the same voice. Everyone has a role to play in addressing social issues,” he said
Other partners in the production of the documentary include, OniroHouse Media, Botswana Police Service, Stepping Stones International.