Parly women call for ‘state of emergency’ against GBV

LINEO MALATALIANA

MASERU – The Parliament Women’s Caucus has called on Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane to declare the surge in violence against women and girls a ‘state of emergency.’

The Chairperson of the caucus, ‘Makatleho Motsoasele, said they abhor fully the heinous acts that see women and girls murdered and traumatised.

Motsoasele did acknowledge that there are cases where these acts also affect men and boys.

“The most shocking part is that the violence is usually perpetuated by those closely linked to the victims, people they see as protectors and supporters,” Motsoasele said.

The chairperson indicated that the outcry to end Gender Based Violence (GBV) was clearly demonstrated when women in a village in Teyateyaneng, performed traditional funeral rites for a female victim of GBV.

The women took it upon themselves to demonstrate their pain by digging the deceased’s grave and carried her coffin, breaking with the traditional norm that men mainly dig graves and carry coffins.

Motsoasele pointed out two factors as some of the factors that instigate violence namely stress and drug abuse.

Indicating that something is amiss in Basotho households.

“As the Women’s Caucus we call upon the prime minister to declare violence against women and girls a state of emergency. It is time for the law to be put into effect,” the chairperson said.

Motsoasele pointed out that the public has shown concern pertaining to issues around bail where predators are let go through the loophole in the bail structure of the country.

A members of the Women’s Caucus, ‘Mamokete Ntšekhe, said they are working tirelessly to ensure that the Bail Bill is put into effect promptly.

According to Nšekhe they believe that bail and bail conditions should have a law that specifically governs them.

“A social survey was performed in villages in the 10 districts to highlight the public point of view on bail issues,” she said.

Police minister, Lebona Lephema, berated the fact that women are often seen as role players perpetuating violence against women and girl.

“Speaking as a policeman, more often than less a woman is usually at the epicentre of a lot of criminal acts against other women, girls and their counterparts,” Lephema said.

The minister said women are often involved in perpetuating child marriage and human trafficking which he said they should desist from.

“Women have to learn to respect themselves first so that they may receive the same in return,” Lephema said.

Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Nthomeng Majara, said that she has had the outcry from the caucus and will surely pass it on to the prime minister.

“The law and enforcement come last in the circle of violence, if we want to see change we have to start at the root; charity begins at home. It starts with the manner one conducts themselves that shows how they will treat others,” Majara said.

The deputy prime minister recognised that the issue of violence against women and girls is a broad and deep issue that requires a lengthy sit down discussion to find working solution to.