Tati East Member of Parliament, Tlhabologo Furniture, has raised concerns about the government’s handling of the increasing incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) in Botswana. Furniture expressed frustration over what he perceives as the new government’s reluctance to take decisive action to combat this growing issue.
During a recent session in Parliament, Furniture directly addressed the Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, Lesego Chombo, questioning her awareness of the escalating cases of GBV in the country. He also inquired about the measures the government has implemented to address the problem effectively.
Minister Chombo had previously highlighted the need for “innovative and holistic ways” to tackle GBV, emphasizing the importance of finding comprehensive solutions to address the issue. However, Furniture responded critically to this statement, arguing that such interventions would not be sufficient to curb the rising incidents of GBV. He expressed concerns that without more immediate and robust actions, including stronger enforcement of laws and better support systems for victims, the situation would continue to worsen.
The issue of GBV has become a significant social concern in Botswana, with reports of increasing violence against women and children. Furniture’s comments reflect growing frustration among the public and lawmakers about the government’s approach to tackling this urgent matter. He called for more proactive measures, including stricter law enforcement, better support services for survivors, and a more concerted effort to educate and raise awareness about gender-based violence.
As the debate continues, many are calling for the government to prioritize GBV prevention and ensure that comprehensive, practical solutions are put in place to protect vulnerable individuals and reduce the prevalence of violence in the country.
