Violence against women is alive in Botswana

November 26 until 10 December marks this year’s 16 days of activism against gender based violence, particularly against women and vulnerable children. This year’s theme, we are told, is titled; ‘Protecting Rights and Preserving Childhoods: Working Together to Address Child Marriage.’

Days ago at work, a colleague confided to me how her teenage niece had, without an ounce of shame, announced to her that she planned to move out of the house and from her care in order to cohabit with a boyfriend. I watched as the aunt bawled her eyes out before locking herself up in the restroom to pray. By some coincidence, as I  was driving to work that same morning I was listening in to some programme on the radio on the issue of cohabitation.

Cohabitation, it would seem, is a fairly common practice- especially in towns and cities. Most people I know cohabit more for convenience than anything else. Unless you have a high paying job, are married or you are willing to rob a bank; getting decent accommodation in Gaborone is a real challenge for many people. The bad side of sharing for convenience is that people often lie about their living arrangements. But not once did I ever think even children could cohabitate.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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