GBV Survivor Vows To End Violence Against Women
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Monday September 16, 2019 11:28
It has been over a decade since she survived the shooting. Through her Malebogo Max Foundation, she plans to fight back and conquer GBV.
The activist’s foundation was one of the beneficiaries together with Francistown Meet Arts of the Mascom in partnership with Diacore Marathon donation. Each received P76, 000.
The donation was made during the Mascom-Batanani walk as part of the mobile telecomms provider’s commitment to selecting deserving beneficiaries of the proceeds of the Marathon as the main sponsor of the Diacore marathon 10km race.
Speaking to The Monitor Molefhe said she was honoured to be one of the beneficiaries. She explained that Malebogo Max Foundation Trust was established last year as a non profit making organisation (NPO).
Molefhe added that the organisation is based at Manyana and it is aimed at developing the potential of rural marginalised women so that they are not left out of issues pertaining to violence.
“Remember a lot of women in rural areas are not working and they are very reliant on their partners hence it’s a risk factor, which can fuel violence. In most cases they end up being under the command of their partner and don’t have a say in the relationship.”
She said the mandate of the foundation is to address issues of violence by doing outreach campaigns, speak out engagements and involving the necessary consulting stakeholders such as village leaders.
The activist further said that in the past they had done a bit of work though it is not documented in an effort to call for robust action to end GBV. She added that they are interested in spreading the word against gender abuse in remote areas such as Bikwe and Lekgoloboto villages.
She disclosed that she has been in a campaign of Allied Botswana that investigates the livelihood of women and girls with disabilities on GBV.
“I really work around aligning myself with organisations or corporate companies which speaks on empowering women,” added Molefhe. Regarding the donation she received from Mascom, the activist said it is a huge milestone for the Malebogo Max Foundation to have received the gesture.
She said they are going to utilise the money by bringing together women in under one platform and key stakeholders so that they can be empowered to be independent.
Molefhe added that through the Manyana Women Pitso they would be mandated to empowering women in starting their own businesses than relying on men.
Molefhe said she believes in the power of collaboration because within the strong forces results can be achieved.
She expressed gratitude to Mascom for putting up Batanani walk which is geared towards spreading the message against GBV and compelling the scourge.
For her part, Mascom acting CEO Dzene Makhwade- Seboni said statistics indicated that 67% of women in Botswana have experienced violence from either non-partner or partner. She also said that Mascom will donate proceeds from Batanani walk to a non governmental organisation with the mandate aligned to GBV in the northern region.
Makhwade- Seboni said Mascom engage companies that are 100% Batswana youth owned businesses to provide different services for the walk to be a success.
Mascom Batanani walk attracted a horde of Francistowners who participated in the five km, 10km and 15km walk.
Amongst them were celebrity guest walkers including renowned South African actors; Sthembiso Khoza popularly known as Shaka and Vuyolwethu Ngcukana aka Schumacher of The Queen together with the city mayor Sylvia Muzila.