The event brought together faith-based organisations, non-governmental organisations, government stakeholders, and civil society groups to engage in a collective dialogue on fostering a society free of GBV.
In attendance were representatives of the Commission of Gender Affairs of the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture, Christian and Sikh faiths, the Botswana Council of Churches, BOFABONETHA’s, Theriso Motsemeng and representatives from Walk of Hope, Kgosi Bana Sekai Linchwe of Mochudi and others at the National Baha’i Centre in Block 9, Gaborone.
The alarming statistics cannot be ignored; a 2017 Botswana relationships study revealed that 37% of women had experienced GBV, with 28% facing such violence in the preceding 12 months. Disturbingly, the country holds the highest incidence of rape, with conservative estimates acknowledging 93 cases for every 100,000 people, a figure likely to be underreported due to stigmatisation.
The gathering highlighted the need for a united front against GBV, emphasizing the role of individuals, communities, and institutions. Representatives from various organisations, faiths, and backgrounds emphasized the necessity of introspection and collaborative efforts to rectify societal distortions leading to violence.
Mr. Morena Rankopo, the vice-chairperson of the Commission of Gender Affairs, stressed the importance of interrogating community and social values to retrace steps and correct past mistakes: “We must come together as different organisations and faiths and look deeply at where we have gone wrong...We need to raise our men and women to know that there is no space for violence in our families or societies.”
The call was clear – men and women are equal partners, and society must raise future generations with a firm understanding that violence has no place in families or communities.
Religious communities were urged to explore ways of building environments free of GBV, with an emphasis on challenging customs, traditions, and interpretations that exacerbate violence. A new conception of power, freed from dominance, contest, and division, was advocated as a means to combat systemic exploitation of women and children.
The discussion extended to the role of education, both moral and practical, in eradicating violence. At a time when it is becoming increasingly evident that violence in all its forms degrades both the victim and the perpetrator, it becomes clear that power-based systems must be overthrown everywhere. In any society where political, religious or other systems are patterned on dominance, it is inevitable that distortions of the concept of power will lead to violence against women.
The gathering stressed the need to move towards fresh approaches, embracing healthier methods of consultation and peace-making. Central to this transformation is the understanding of fundamental truths – the oneness of humankind and the equality of men and women. It becomes clear in this framework that the changes seen in every sphere of society should be viewed as two contrary forces- one of destruction and one of integration as we move towards maturity as humankind. Aligning our efforts with integrative action instead of busying ourselves with the inevitable destruction of outdated norms and practices will lead to more rapid progress. It was emphasized that the home environment plays a crucial role, with women and girls often suffering violence within their own families. Baha’u’llah’s teachings highlighted the importance of mothers as the primary educators of the next generation, prioritizing the education of the girl child.
A call to action was made against the perpetuation of patriarchy, advocating for the active involvement of women in positions of responsibility and decision-making. However, the approach was not merely oppositional but rooted in spiritual education and social empowerment.
Crucially, the transformation and support of men and boys were identified as essential components in combating development of distorted ideals.
Early training for boys and education that values women as equal partners were seen as crucial steps towards a gender-equal world and to prevent such efforts from being short-lived. Ultimately the conception of each human being as a noble soul, made in the image of the Divine, if instilled into the heart of every child will by its very nature prevent such action.
As the dialogue unfolded, it became evident that creating a society free of GBV requires a concerted effort from every sector of society, including communities of faith. The transformation towards a just social order necessitates the collaboration of women and men, working shoulder to shoulder.
The gathering served as a pivotal conversation in women and men working shoulder to shoulder to build a more equal and just society. It underscored the importance of a united front, calling for a reevaluation of societal values, religious interpretations, and power structures. With a commitment to education, spiritual principles, and collective action, the path to a Botswana free of gender-based violence is one that demands the participation of every individual, community, and institution.
