During a recent kgotla meeting in Kgagodi village, Boko urged women to be mindful of the words they use when communicating with men. President Boko, who once said that Botswana is a violent nation, warned that verbal provocation often contributes to physical violence in relationships. He acknowledged that women may lack physical strength compared to their male counterparts, but said their words can sometimes be more damaging. President Boko noted that in many domestic disputes, women tend to use language that belittles and emasculates men, especially during emotionally charged moments. “Basadi ba tshabelelwa ke go dirisa mafoko a nyenyahatsang banna, mafoko a a kgobang. These hurtful words have led to escalating fights, some of which end in serious injuries or even death. When a man loses his job, for instance, he is often treated with less respect at home, contributing to tensions in the relationship,” Boko said. Boko stressed that this form of emotional abuse is frequently overlooked but plays a significant role in the outbreak of violence in households. He called for behaviour change, warning that family members, children, relatives, and even neighbours are often aware of the ongoing conflicts behind closed doors, which can have long-term consequences.
“Usually GBV occurs in secret places and we only come to be aware of it when incidents like deaths and serious fights have occurred, despite some people having witnessed it and choosing not to talk or report such incidents. It is everyone’s responsibility to help curb GBV, and I am pleading with every citizen to play a part in ending GBV by reporting such incidents when they occur,” he said. He said policing these private spaces is not easy, calling on close family members to report these incidents. He further pointed out that children living in such environments are affected mentally and emotionally, with many under-performing in school due to the trauma they experience at home. “Some children are not doing well academically because of the constant fights between their parents. This issue should be treated as a national concern; let’s all join hands to curb GBV,” he said. Boko encouraged the public to report signs of domestic unrest before they escalate into violence. He said early intervention is key and could prevent tragedies. In addition, Boko advised couples in toxic or failing relationships to walk away rather than stay in abusive situations.
