Men called on to heed women�s rights

Kgomotso Molelekeng | Wednesday January 22, 2014 17:11

The Canadian Embassy in Harare and the World University Services of Canada in Botswana fund the project.

Speaking at the launch executive director Thatayotlhe Molefe said: “The overall outcome is to strengthen women’s rights in addressing patriarchal, social and cultural gaps that prevents men to stand up and support these through ending violence against women and girls.”

He added that the project was being implemented in three prioritised areas, which are Gaborone, Selebi-Phikwe and Maun.

He said the primary target and beneficiaries of the project would be women and girls, while the secondary target would be men and boys.

The project also intends to enhance the capacity of traditional leaders and community leaders to develop strategies to address the varied impact of violence against women and girls in the community.

“These community leaders will be culled from traditionally male dominated communities, critical sectors of the society which include government, religious groups, police, military, traditional institutions and civil society,” he said   

He further mentioned that the leadership roles that the men held in their communities allowed them to spread awareness and mobilised males to actively advocate for greater respect for women’s rights.

“For many years, women in Botswana and the world have led efforts to prevent and end violence. The time is now for Batswana to support men and boys to take an active part in the prevention and elimination of Gender-Based Violence in Botswana,” he added.

Men for Health and Gender Justice Organisation was established in 2012. It exists to mobilise men and boys to be actively involved in the prevention of GBV, sexual reproductive health rights, gender equality, lobbying for access to quality, timely and appropriate healthcare.