MonnaTia Campaign Launched
Cavin Kanoko | Monday August 5, 2019 14:21
The campaign is a partnership between the Ministry, Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation and Argus Online, with the support of the European Union delegate to Botswana and Men’s sector. It is aimed at dealing with issues of Gender Based Violence (GBV).
The leader of the campaign, Desmond Lunga said the campaign was prompted by the social media trend dubbed #MenAreTrash.
“We should build the behavior of men in order to deal with GBV in our country,” Lunga said. He further pointed out that the campaign engages men in behaviour therapy in order to curb their violent tendencies towards women.
Lunga added that the campaign will culminate in the formation of community groups that will be responsible for singling out men who engage in GBV in order to help them stop the habit. He further said grooming the behaviours of both men and women at a tender age at home is also crucial to teach them how to deal with issues besides the use of violence.
UN Women Botswana officer in charge, Lydia Mafhoko-Ditsa called on both men and women to work together to combat GBV and also drive the country’s economy. She stressed the effects of violence on economic activities as it affects the performance of the drivers of the economy. Mafhoko-Ditsa also commended MGBE for partnering with them through their HeforShe campaign, which she says, will increase the participation of both men and women in combating GBV.
“Patience is a virtue I teach my kids at home alongside forgiveness in order to groom them into responsible adults,” said Ngaka Ngaka.
He also emphasised the importance of men to men talks in families, which he said are essential in instilling the needed values in men to curb violence against women. The launch also included the inauguration of ambassadors of the campaign from Gaborone and those based in Gantsi who will be responsible for pushing the mandate of the campaign.
The launch ended with a talk at the Itekeng Junior Secondary School, which was a part of the 91 minutes that the campaign’s ambassadors have pledged to Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation. The campaign is headed for a launch in Shakawe at a later date.