PRESS STATEMENT: STOP GENDER BASED VIOLENCE "WE WANT ACTION"

This is the message Rainbow Identity Association drew up (a nonprofit organization (NGO) based in Gaborone, an association for transgender and intersex individuals. They aim to challenge trans-phobic laws and trans-phobia in Botswana) in theming their Sit Down Protests against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).  Because of the recent rise in violence against women, children and LGBTI+ community in Botswana, Rainbow Identity Association has become concerned and is contributing in the fight against gender based violence by having organized this Sit Down Protest.  The event is scheduled to take place on the 1st of September at Main mall by President Hotel open space in Gaborone under the hashtag #wewantaction from 9AM.

Men and Boys for Gender Equality (a gender for equality NGO), Bonela (an NGO committed to integrating an ethical, legal and human rights approach into Botswana’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic), Balwa Ntwa ( a reactive national total shutdown feminist movement fighting against GBV), Awosh (transwomen feminist movement), Sisonke (an NGO advocating for the rights of sex workers in Botswana), Ditshwanelo (Ditshwanelo an advocacy organisation that plays a key role in the promotion and protection of human rights in the Botswana Society. However due to the indivisible nature of Human Rights, their work extends to the regional and international levels. and other civil societies have also expected to form part of the sit down protest and the rest of the community are encouraged to support the sit down protest by attending the event.  The above organisations have agreed to send representatives to come and speak of how they have been engaging to fight against gender based violence especially after the recent deaths of woman who were brutally murdered by their partners. Minister Dorcus Makgato was expected to attend the sit down as the initial plan was to hand her a petition demanding action from the Ministry of Nationality Immigration and Gender affairs, but due to her attending a march against Gender based violence by the Gender and Justice entity on the same day she sent her regrets and suggested we find a date she will be available to hand in the petition. 

“We have since saw it fit to continue with the sit down protest and discuss the petition further with everyone who will be at the protest so as not to leave anything out and not to leave anyone behind” said Phio Kenosi who is Rainbow Identity Community Mobilizing officer. They went on to say that after the petition is handed to Minister Makgato upon the response RIA will then share it with all the participants of the protest and the entire community.

RIA says enough is enough. With the help of the community and other civil societies they are now taking control and demanding action because talking about GBV has proven to be futile. In their interview today with Yarona FM news on the 1PM news when asked what they wanted out of the protest they said that they want laws to be put in place to protect the GBV victims and the Ministry of Nationality Immigration and Gender Affairs making sure that those laws are enhanced and law breakers put to justice. in recent years we have seen people in our communities shielding the perpetrators and villainizing the victims, much worse turning a blind eye and deaf ear to the cries and suffering of the GBV victims today RIA says that if you turn a blind eye or deaf ear you are as guilty as the perpetrator. It’s time for the community to stand together in singling out this perpetrators and making sure they are brought to justice. Skipper Mogapi RIA’s Director says “It is time we find the root cause of Gender Based Violence if at all we are hoping to alleviate it, most times we believe its anger even so where does this anger come from and how can it be dealt with” 

RIA would like to invite everyone to join them at the sit down protest that will commence at 9:00 am on the 1^st of September 2018 in Main mall by the Cresta President Hotel Open Space. They would like for the community to make protest signs speaking against gender based violence and the solutions they would like implemented against the situation. Please do join them for the protest, as the community’s input is very important. Let’s take action to end gender based violence.

Press statement by Urbenia Kgwarae

Rainbow identity Association Media and Advocacy Officer

INVITATION TO A SIT DOWN PROTEST

Rainbow Identity Association (RIA) is a nonprofit organization based in Gaborone, it is an association for transgender and intersex individuals. It aims to challenge trans-phobic laws and trans-phobia in Botswana. Because of the recent rise in violence against women, children and LGBTI+ community in Botswana, Rainbow Identity Association have become concerned and would like to give their contribution in the fight against gender based violence. 

RIA would like to invite you to join us on the Friday 31^st August 2018 for a sit down protest at the open space by Cresta President Hotel in Main Mall from 9:00 am. In addition to having the protest we will be inviting the Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs to receive a list of demands from the community which we hope you can contribute to. 

The statement should be clear and have plausible solutions that can be implemented not only as policy change but as mandate that the minister and other members of government office can carry out.

RIA would like for you to make protest signs speaking against gender based violence and the solutions you would like implemented against the situation. Please do join us for the protest, your input is very important. Let’s take action to end gender based violence.

UNTIL YOU BREAK THE SILENCE YOU CANT STOP THE VIOLENCE

Condolences to all the families of the women who have been found dead last week at the hands of men and to every other woman who is a victim of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). IPV is a menace in our communities. It is fueled by patriarchal notions premised on the belief that women are men's properties. These toxic masculinities must be rooted out in our communities. Men must be held accountable for their behaviors, this includes developing adequate policies that respond to the challenges of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Violence Against Women (VAW). Prevention is key in this respect.

Leadership is crucial in these efforts. It is encouraging to see President Masisi taking leadership in this instance in a statement, Masisi called on Batswana to unite and become part of the solution to end violence against “hapless young women.”

He said he was deeply disturbed by “recent reports of violent abuse against our women and children, ranging from assault and rape to murder.”

“This is not who we are as a people and I urge us all to stand together in solidarity, particularly us men, to fight against this growing phenomenon that has plagued our nation,” Masisi said.

He warned that the perpetrators of crimes against women would “face the full wrath of the law.”

Our country has reported a spike in the number of murder cases committed by men against their spouses in recent months. This must be followed up by a clear action plan for the country of dealing with GBV. Such a plan must involve all key stakeholders in Botswana; government departments, civil society and the private sector. Prevention is key in this regard to avoid the needless loss of lives. We owe this to these women and the many victims and survivors of GBV. It is easy to point a finger rather than take action Rainbow Identity Association (RIA) would like to call out everyone in the society and country to stand together in fighting against IPV and GBV.

The perpetrators who in this case are men need to be held accountable and the boys in our community need to be groomed and natured in a way that they will not conform to the notions that women are their property and need to be tamed by violence or any other way. If we natured the boy child and protected him as much as we protect and nature the girl child RIA feel future GBV cases can be avoided. We need to change the way the society looks at gender roles and behaviors, believing that men are the head of the family and women should be submissive even when they are being ill-treated and abused. Every day that passes without us standing against this as a nation means more victims will pile up silently until they turn up dead or in a hospital bed. We can’t keep quite anymore, we can’t just write Facebook status and Whats-App status, it can’t be business as usual we need to put those words into action and need to collaborate to make it happen and to be heard.

By Urbenia Unaswi Kgwarae

RIA Media and Advocacy Officer