12 Feb 2019

A project in which some victims of gender based violence (GBV) share their stories has been commended by stakeholders who attended the launch on Monday in Maun.

The project, dubbed ‘Dipolelo, Girls Against GBV Digital stories’ was produced by a Maun based organisation that deals with issues of gender abuse, Women Against Rape (WAR) in partnership with CANADA as the sponsor.

Speaking at the launch, Oleyo Ledimo from Batawana Tribal Administration commended WAR for challenging issues of GBV through the ‘Dipolelo digital stories,’ adding that the launch was a right step in the fight against GBV.

Ledimo said there was need to go beyond culture and norms in order to end GBV, adding that some perpetrators still used the culture card as an excuse for their behaviour.
Some attendants blamed the delay in the judicial system for failing victims of gender based violence.

WAR coordinator, Peggy Ramaphane highlighted that as stakeholders they had long advocated for specialised courts for GBV issues, but that government had not acted on the request.

Ramaphane said issues such as alcohol abuse and stock theft have been prioritised with specialised courts while GBV was left behind.

Commenting, Boro Prison manager, Gabriel Magole observed that GBV was worrisome as the ‘Dipolelo’ digital stories showed how parents who were supposed to protect children were the main perpetrators.

Magole said sexual related offences constituted a high number of prisoners in the North West District, a reality that showed the magnitude of GBV.

He said it was imperative to include men and the boy child in interventions on GBV to help them realise their role as protectors of family and not abusers.

Magole also said the judicial system should improve efforts of protecting victims of violence during trials to avoid further victimising them through public courts.

An official from gender affairs, Gagoope Modimoosi said it was time to have a one stop centre for GBV victims with proper referral systems.

Modimoosi said the North West District had shown high numbers of GBV which was a worrisome trend.

She said a cordial relationship between the police and relevant stakeholders was what was needed to fight the situation.
The Dipolelo digital stories will be availed to the public through You Tube by WAR. Ends