The run that had attracted multitudes was held under the theme 'A tool to deliver messages on GBV prevention and road safety'. Speaking at the event, Police Commissioner Dinah Marathe emphasised that the run wasn't just a fitness initiative but a strategic partnership with the community to drive home the message about the dangers of GBV and road fatalities. “This is more than just a run. It is a call for action and collaboration with the community. GBV and road accidents are persistent threats in our country, and we can't fight them alone. The public remains an integral partner in both prevention and response efforts, especially when it comes to GBV and child-related cases,” she stated. According to recent police statistics, Botswana continues to record a worrying number of GBV cases, with women and children being the most affected. Similarly, road accidents remain one of the leading causes of fatalities, often attributed to reckless driving, speeding and drunk driving.
The Commissioner’s Run saw participation from law enforcement officers, community members, civil society organisations, and government representatives, all united in their call for action against these societal ills. Participants carried placards with messages advocating for safer roads and the protection of women and children from abuse. "The community is an integral partner in both preventative and response measures in GBV and child-related cases. BPS has recognised that the levels, types and complex nature of GBV are in part caused by the socio–economic and cultural factors and therefore requires the police to partner with the communities to combat these social ills. It is worth noting that law enforcement measures alone, without community involvement, cannot mitigate and resolve the current array of problems," she said. Marathe said no single sector or organisation can adequately address all elements of GBV prevention and response in isolation, and that a multi-sectoral model represents a holistic and coordinated approach aimed at working at different levels of society and with multiple actors.
