PRESS STATEMENT: The Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) family is saddened and appalled by the recent violence and brutal murder of female teachers. What pains the most is the trauma inflicted on the children who witness these brutal acts on their parents.
In three months, the teaching fraternity has lost three women in different schools to Gender Based Violence (GBV). These numbers should be a call for alarm in our communities and the nation at large. Everyone should make it a priority to fight Gender Based Violence with their all. It is time that society walks the talk concerning efforts to eradicate Gender Based Violence.
We condemn such heinous acts against our female comrades and pray that the mighty hand of the law takes its course and punishes these perpetrators, who have left deep scars on the victims' children, families and colleagues.
We reiterate and emphasise what the law enforcement officers (the Police) always preach to couples: they should seek help whenever they encounter relationship challenges. We plead with couples to try everything possible to resolve their differences calmly.
The Union, through the Office of the Vice President responsible for Gender and Human Rights, has established a Psycho-social Support Unit at Mogoditshane Regional Office to assist members who might need psycho-social support and counselling, among other things.
The Psycho-social Support Unit is open Monday to Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. for physical and telephonic consultations at Toll-Free Number 0800 600 932 and Landline Number 392 4288 or Mobile Number 77 170 004.
*Statement Issued by the Gender and Human Rights Desk-BTU
