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‘GBV, health, budget effects linked’

Reducing gender-based violence (GBV) is a public good that benefits individuals, families, communities and the government in many ways
Reducing gender-based violence (GBV) is a public good that benefits individuals, families, communities and the government in many ways

Reducing gender-based violence (GBV) is a public good that benefits individuals, families, communities and the government in many ways.

The remarks were made by Minister of Defence and Security, Kagiso Mmusi, when officiating at the second edition of the Run Gabz Ny Night launch and GBV workshop that was held at Masa New Capital Cinemas on Friday. He stated that GBV has detrimental health and budget effects on people and government. Mmusi said in its effort to meet the global target and its own target, the government has invested efforts towards responding to the scourge of GBV. He further revealed that the Government of Botswana has set up fully-fledged GBV units within the Botswana Police Service stations with trained personnel to respond and support GBV prevention through awareness and response. “In its second edition of the Run Gabz By Night Marathon, this year’s marathon is themed 'Running to end GBV Marathon'.

Following the inaugural marathon in 2023 under the theme Run for Safer Streets Botswana, a marathon that was aimed at creating safer streets in Botswana and eradicating violence on the streets, in homes, and at businesses. An extension of last year’s theme, we presented Run Gabz By Night 2024,” Mmusi said. He stated that Botswana is known worldwide for many good practices and unfortunately also the bad such as GBV being one of the things the country statistically leads in. However, he stated that government is committed to Public Private Partnership with Batswana aimed at collectively working towards ending GBV by working with partners. “The government is a proud partner with the Run Gabz By Night team towards delivering this marathon of 2024.

The response towards ending GBV requires your individual and collective roles. Your registration and participation in this year’s marathon contributes towards supporting GBV awareness and prevention clinics where women, young girls, and the general public are involved,” he said. Furthermore, the minister added that through the marathon, Run Gabz By Night is also running the biggest loser health campaigns where organisations through teamwork are encouraged to support each other towards adopting healthier lifestyles that aim to prevent and respond to non-communicable diseases. He said the aim of supporting each other’s approach is critical towards building a community that supports each other against GBV and speaking positively to end violence.

“GBV is not only a victim’s problem, it is also a community and national problem that is also seen as a health concern. Sustainable Development Target 5.2.1 aims to eliminate violence against women and girls, eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual [abuse] and other types of exploitation,” he said. Despite efforts in place to curb GBV, a lot has been said about the scourge which remains the country’s nightmare as little seems to be changing and continues to spiral out of control with women and girls suffering violence daily. Almost every week there are reports of women being attacked by their significant others. While men also get attacked, figures disproportionately show a significant number of women and girls seem to be more on the receiving end.

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