Deputy Minister of State President, Maipelo Mophuting, has reassured the public that the government is taking decisive action to address the alarming rise in gender-based violence (GBV) in Botswana. Following a report on the crime statistics from the recent festive season, which showed a disturbing increase in GBV incidents, Mophuting emphasized that the government is not turning a blind eye to this critical issue.
According to the statistics, 60 women were raped, 13 young girls were defiled, and 19 women were murdered during the holiday period. These figures paint a grim picture of the scale of GBV in the country, which has sparked outrage and concern among citizens and advocacy groups alike.
Mophuting expressed the government’s commitment to tackling GBV head-on, citing the need for enhanced support and protection for women and children. In light of the increasing number of cases, the Deputy Minister highlighted that the government is exploring the establishment of a dedicated GBV department within police stations across the country. This proposed department would focus solely on handling cases of gender-based violence, ensuring a more specialized and efficient response to these heinous crimes.
“The escalation of gender-based violence is unacceptable, and the government is actively considering measures to strengthen the justice system’s response,” Mophuting stated. “We are committed to safeguarding our citizens, particularly women and children, from violence, and we are exploring the creation of a GBV unit to provide targeted support and interventions.”
This announcement follows increasing calls from civil society organizations and the public for more effective actions to combat GBV. Advocates argue that while laws and policies are in place, they are often poorly enforced or lack the necessary resources to fully address the needs of survivors.
In addition to the creation of a specialized unit within police stations, the government is also expected to ramp up its public education campaigns and support for survivors. These efforts align with Botswana’s broader commitment to international human rights frameworks and ensuring the safety and dignity of all its citizens.
As the government prepares to take further action, there is hope that such measures will begin to reduce the prevalence of gender-based violence and provide justice and healing for victims.
