Cultural practice linked to Maun’s GBV struggle
Although issues of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) have long made headline news in Botswana, the problem remains rife throughout the country.
It is a ‘pandemic’ experts feel is compounded by cultural practices such as bogadi, which gives some men a sense of entitlement and a feeling they ‘can do what they want with their wives’ on the basis of having paid bride price.
This is certainly the belief of Botswana Network of People Living with HIV/ AIDS (BONEPWA) Ngamiland District Coordinator, Gosalamang Xaa, who made his views clear when addressing the media in Maun on Monday.
Xaa and his team are part of a nationwide project run by Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA), to raise awareness a GBV stigma and discrimination.
The initiative started on 19 October and runs until 15 November and includes engaging with relevant stakeholders and community members.
“We conducted community dialogues where we interacted with members of the public. It is in this meeting that we learnt that one of the key contributors to GBV cases is bogadi. It appears that bogadi has now lost its purpose – it gives men the power to do as they please with their wives. To them, they believe they should be dished sex whenever they want. Even our culture teaches our women to condone such behaviour, they are taught not to question their husband’s’ authority,” highlighted Xaa, adding it has been found that GBV is one of the leading drivers of HIV infections in Botswana.
He further noted it is apparent the high prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse in Maun is a contributing factor in many of the GBV cases reported in the area.
“Maun people have developed a habit of excessive drinking. You find in some instances a son can come back from a drinking spree and assault the family members for not dishing up for them when they do not even buy food at home.”
Xaa also expressed concern at the frequency with which abused women withdraw GBV cases. He urged such women to see their cases through, noting dropping the matter encourages the abuser to continue with his abusive tendencies in the knowledge he will be forgiven and ultimately escape the long arm of the law.
He suggested an Education Pitso for men should be normalised to teach them about bogadi, marriage and relationships.
Abolish this Bogadi thing, as it seems no one knows exactly what it’s meant for! it causes confusion and fights in many marriages