Speech by the Min.for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration at the Commemoration of 16 days of Gender Based Violence Against Women and Child

source: Republic of Botswana (2/12/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 28 of 2009
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery


B8) 26/11/09: OPENING SPEECH BY THE MINISTER FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, HON. LESEGO E. MOTSUMI, AT THE COMMEMORATION OF 16 DAYS OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN - “THE THEME “Speaking out “GBV and sex work

[Salutations]…Director of Ceremony,

1. Let me take this opportunity to thank Gender Links Botswana Satellite office for inviting my office to this important workshop. Ladies and gentlemen, the Government of Botswana is very concerned, about the continuous violence perpetrated to women and children. More frustrating is for women who lost their lives through violence.

2. Let me once again remind the participants of this year‘s international theme which says “COMMIT, ACT AND DEMAND”. Director of ceremony, this emphasize the importance of the Setswana proverb which says “setshwarwa ke ntsa pedi ga se thata”, if all of us can unite and fight violence we will reduce it.

3. I have been informed by Gender Links that some commercial sex workers say that men force them to have sex without a condom, refuse to pay the agreed rate and rather decide to assault commercial sex workers, and sometimes leave them helpless in the bush.

4. Director of Ceremony, violence is violence. It does not depend on whether the activity was legal or not. To the survivors of GBV, government and other stakeholders would not understand the brutality of violence you experience unless we understand the problem and your intended solutions?

5. Let me take this opportunity to emphasis my fear of the Violence you go through and the effects of HIV/AIDS. Already globally, there is an economic crisis Government of Botswana is not immune, for now government has suspended some activities within NDP10.

6. If this type of violence continues, where will my government get resources for Police, service providers for GBV, legal Aid to address the trauma you go through and your families.

7. Director of ceremony let me assure the participants that my office will be grateful to have access to recommendations of this workshop to enable us to work together on issues raised today.

8. I am grateful to hear that the workshop will end up with I stories, this is appreciated as a tool to heal. It is my pleasure to officially open this workshop Pula.