First National Bank Botswana (FNBB) through its corporate social responsibility arm,First National Bank Botswana Foundation (FNBBF) has launched a Gender Based Violence Campaign. The Campaign will run for a period of four months and will be a collaborative effort with severalstakeholders being Botswana Police, UNICEF Botswana, Botswana Gender Based Violence Support Network, Mbewe Legal, Men & Boys for Gender Equality, Gender Perspectives and Dikgosi.
The GBV campaign aims to raise awareness and advocate for behavioural change towards the ongoing GBV scourge in our society. In the year 2020, Botswana Police Service reported an increase of 330 GBV related offenses, as compared to the year 2019. The police confirmed that with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during the first national lockdown, the statistics grew at an alarming rate.Speaking at the launch, FNBB Foundation Manager, Ms Onkemetse Montsheki said, “Each day we read and hear about the different cases of Gender Based Violence that have swept across the country. This is a concern to not only for our Government but to us as the private sector as well. Today as the FNBB Foundation, we are launching the FNBB Gender Based Violence Campaign, themed ‘Behaviour change starts with me and you’.”The campaign will address matters pertaining to various themes such as:· How to identify GBV· Where to get help· Available laws that protect citizens from GBV· Testimonies from survivors as well as perpetrators· Conflict resolution· Positive parenting.
Montsheki also stated that FNBB believes in gender inclusivity and has created an enabling and safe environment for all employees. Through the employee wellness office, staff has access to counselling facilities should they have issues that they need assistance with.
Montsheki said, “I would like to commend the Government of Botswana for setting up the inter-ministerial Gender Based Violence working group, which is evidence that we have a Government that is concerned about the wellbeing of its citizens. I urge the general public to make a pledge and assist where possible and not to turn a blind eye to this social ill that is operating in our society”.
The campaign will focus on key topics of interest including among other things discussing available sources of support. At the end of the campaign, FNBB envisages to have contributed to a nation that is safe and that protects its own citizens.