The HSRC Seminar Series in collaboration with the University of Botswana
Date: 3 October 2013
Time: 12:30 – 14:00
Presenter: Dr Maude Dikobe Senior Lecturer, English Department (African Diaspora Studies), University of Botswana
DOWNLOAD SEMINAR PRESENTATION BELOW:
- Download the full audio recording of this seminar [Please note: audio files are large and may take a while to download]
“Violence against women both violates and impairs or nullifies the enjoyment by women of their human rights and fundamental freedoms… In all societies, to a greater or lesser degree, women and girls are subjected to physical, sexual and psychological abuse that cuts across lines of income, class and culture.”
—Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, paragraph 112
Although Botswana has made some milestones with regards to health, education and democracy, it is still haunted by the spectre of gender based violence. According to the study on Gender Based Violence Indicators in Botswana conducted in 2012, by Women’s Affairs Department in collaboration with Gender Links, “[O]ver two thirds of women in Botswana (67%) have experienced some form of gender violence in their life time including partner and non-partner violence. As smaller but high proportion of men (44%) admits to perpetuating violence against women”. These data suggests that understanding the gendered nature of violence in Botswana is essential in finding ways to address and reduce this crime which the former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae called, “A festering sore on the conscience of the nation”. In that light, the seminar aims to use research findings as well as anecdotal examples to unpack the different types of gender based violence in Botswana by highlighting causes, consequences and share some of the interventions that have been put into place to combat and prevent gender based violence. In conclusion, the seminar will invite the participants to reflect on whether Botswana is doing enough of the right interventions by sharing best practices and some of the challenges that still remain in addressing gender based violence in their respective countries and communities since gender based violence is a global pandemic.
Kindly RSVP by 30 September 2013
This seminar may be attended via video conference in Pretoria, Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal. Details as below.
Cape Town: HSRC, 12th Floor, Plein Park Building (Opposite Revenue Office), Plein Street, Cape Town. Contact Jean Witten, Tel (021) 4668004, Fax (021) 461 0299, or JWitten@hsrc.ac.za
Durban: First floor HSRC board room, 750 Francois Road, Ntuthuko Junction, Pods 5 and 6, Cato Manor, Contact Ridhwaan Khan, Tel (031) 242 5400, cell: 083 788 2786 or RKhan@hsrc.ac.za
Pretoria: HSRC Video Conference, 1st floor HSRC Library Human Sciences Research Council, 134 Pretorius Street, Pretoria. Arlene Grossberg, Tel: (012) 302 2811, e-mail: acgrossberg@hsrc.ac.za