The Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, Lesego Chombo, has rallied the nation to unite in the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV).
Chombo made this call this week at the launch of the GBV national prayer week at the Lentsweletau kgotla. She called for a collective and compassionate response to the ongoing GBV crisis.
In her address, Minister Chombo emphasised the critical role of prayer in addressing GBV, noting that the trauma caused by abuse has led to widespread mental health challenges, as well as physical harm from beatings and other forms of violence. She underscored the healing power of prayer, which she said fosters empathy and provides emotional and spiritual support for survivors of rape and other abuses.
“Prayer comes first. It helps us remain compassionate and supports the healing of those who have endured emotional and physical injuries,” she said.
Quoting the 2022 Botswana Census, Minister Chombo noted that 86.7% of the population identifies as Christian, with smaller percentages adhering to other faiths or no religion. These figures, she said, highlight the importance of leveraging faith-based approaches in the national response to GBV.
She commended various religious organisations for their ongoing efforts to promote peace and equality, calling these initiatives vital components of nation-building.
“We must ensure our places of worship are safe havens for survivors of abuse,” Chombo said. “Let us build strong families and communities through prayer and moral development.”
She ended her remarks by urging continued collaboration among religious leaders, communities, and the government in the fight against GBV.
