Do we know the importance of being counted?

Statistics Botswana (SB) issued a statement on Friday condemning members of the public who are refusing to be enumerated.

“Those who have refused to be enumerated are informed that the District Commissioners in their respective districts will specifically visit their homes to facilitate their enumeration. As such, you are advised and cautioned to kindly cooperate with the District Commissioners and census enumeration teams,” a statement from Statistics states.

Population census “provides information on the age and sex distribution, in addition to household composition and size, all of which are vital in determining the needs of different segments of the population.”

We all need to be counted because a population census serves as a basis for equitable representation, resource distribution, education funding, and human rights protection, just to mention a few. Sadly, the people who decide that they are not going to participate in the population and housing census, are the very people who will be shouting the loudest that their areas have remained underdeveloped for the longest time. Some people have been making fun of questions asked by the enumeration teams, and disqualified them as stupid questions! We are not experts in statistics and obviously, intelligent men and women sat around the table to come up with those questions to collect information and release comprehensive reports, which will inform the government on the needs of its people.

Resources such as clinics and schools are considered based on the number of people in a certain area, and if people choose to keep dodging the enumeration teams, they are putting themselves and their communities at a disadvantage. We have people amongst us who have made it a point to argue against developments without even informing themselves on the matter at hand. One of the questions that many people on social media seemed to have a big laugh over, was the one relating to food. While we may take things for granted because we can have three meals a day, there are some people out there who go for days without even a single meal, and such information is necessary for the government to come up with programmes that can assist those affected.

The statement from SB further states: “The public is informed that refusing to be enumerated is an offence under the Statistics Act of 2009, which carries as punishment, a fine of P50,000 or imprisonment of a term not exceeding five years or both. Those who refuse to answer questions are also advised that this is an offence under the Statistics Act of 2009, which carries as punishment, a fine of P10,000 or imprisonment of a term not exceeding one year or both.”

SB should stop handling those who have decided to be difficult with kid gloves and use the law if they must!