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Violence
Against Women
Violence can take many forms: psychological,
physical, sexual and economic.
WHY?
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Violence is
perpetrated by an unequal power relation between men and women.
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Cultural attitudes
can lead to an acceptance of violence against women and children.
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A lack of
information on the legal rights of women increases the likelihood that
women will not report violence and remain in abusive situations.
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Laws do not
exist to help women or are either inconsistent or not implemented.
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The objectification
of women in the media also leads to an increase in violence against
women.
Recommendations
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Women and men need to be sensitised
on the effects of violence.
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Anti-rape committees need to be
formed and the public educated on rape.
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Education on legal rights of women
needs to be addressed.
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More awareness around all violence
issues such as domestic violence, rape, defilement, etc…
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Enectment of gender
based violence laws
Progress
for Women in Botswana
Violence Against women,
Including Human Rights
There
is increased awareness and commitment to preventing and combating violence
against women and girls, including domestic violence.
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Botswana has ratified the
Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women
in 1996. |
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An addendum to the 1997
Declaration on Gender and Development by SADC Heads of State or
Government. |
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The Botswana Police Service,
Women’s Affairs Department, Women’s NGOs and other key stakeholders
have established a wide rage of intervention strategies aimed at combating
gender-based violence. |
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Research, Information Education
Communication (IEC) and revision of legal instruments are some of the key
responses that have been made. |
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The laws on rape were amended and
made gender neutral. |
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Counselling services and a Shelter
House have been initiated by the civil society and these has strengthened
government efforts. |
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The
Sector drafted a Domestic Violence Bill. A motion of the intention to
bring a Private Bill to Parliament was accepted in 1999. |
Botswana still has a lot to do in order to begin
eradicating violence against women. Education of the public is a big and tedious
project that needs to take place. Slowly though through activities such as the
16 of Activism to Eliminate Violence Against Women seeds are being planted.
Who is addressing this area? Kagisano
Society Women's Shelter Project
Emang Basadi Women's Association
Metlhaetsile
Women's Information Centre
Women Against Rape
WLSA
YWCA
Botswana Christian
Council
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