The struggle for bodily integrity :: Mmegi Online

The principle of ‘bodily integrity’ adds the right of each human being, including children, to autonomy and self-determination over their own body. It considers unconsented physical intrusion as a human rights violation. While the principle has traditionally been raised in connection with practices such as torture, inhumane treatment and forced disappearance, bodily integrity has the potential to apply to a wide range of human rights violations, which affect girls, women and sexual minority groups. Mmegi Correspondent NNASARETHA KGAMANYANE writes

To raise awareness on issues of bodily autonomy and integrity, Success Capital recently held a documentary screening where there were also discussions about Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) amongst young Lesbian Bisexual and Queer (LBQ) women, storytelling on unsafe abortion as well as Bodily Autonomy and Integrity (BAI) as a way of reaching out to different stakeholders including ordinary Batswana. In an interview, Success Capital director, Dumiso Gasha said it was important for the organisation to ensure that they gauge perspectives and experiences on issues such as intimate partner violence. He pointed out that this was one topic that is not often spoken about at home, work or even in church.

“Gender-based violence (GBV) has been a big issue as the shadow pandemic amidst global lockdowns and our state of emergency with regular media reports of violence including passion killings and threats,” Gasha said.