Ditshwanelo on sexual orientation and gender identity

Correspondent | Tuesday April 19, 2016 15:36

The newspaper article not only uses language which is discriminatory and disrespectful, but does not provide sources for the “facts” stated in the article.

The article claims that those who engage in the advocacy of sexual orientation and gender identity rights are pushing a ‘western agenda’ and are ‘encouraging the depopulation of society’ and ‘barbarism’ which emerged with homosexuality.

This type of language not only encourages discrimination against a group which is already marginalised, but also makes it difficult for constructive and respectful engagement about sexual orientation. When addressing human rights, it is necessary for research to be conducted.

It is important that one respects others and treats everyone with dignity.

The article speaks to the issue of culture and how we need to preserve that culture; however the writer of the article has himself gone against our very culture by not addressing issues in a respectful manner.

The notion of our Setswana “botho” encourages respectful dialogue about issues (even in relation to those with which one does not necessarily agree).

During its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process in June 2013, the Government of Botswana accepted the recommendation to have ‘public dialogue’ on issues of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) in order to raise awareness and provide the public with a holistic view on SOGI issues.

It is important that these issues be brought to the fore and that we continue to raise public awareness about them.

In doing this we also need to be wary of using language which encourages discrimination of any kind.

Respect for human dignity is not a western human rights concept; it is enshrined in our very own Tswana notion of “botho”.

Ditshwanelo

Gaborone

15 April 2016