Africa-Press – Botswana. Over 3 000 men participated in the Commissioner’s Run and formed a pact not to commit gender-based violence (GBV).
This was revealed by the Botswana Police Service Commissioner, Dinah Marathe during the Police Commissioner Run in Gaborone on Saturday.
She said the Run confirmed Police commitment to adopting a balanced approach to addressing national issues among them GBV, drug and substance abuse and road accidents.
She said the Botswana Police Service recognised that levels, types and complex nature of GBV were in part caused by the socio-economic and cultural factors.
She said crime started at the family setup and the police service was dealing with the end result hence they organised the Police Commissioner’s Run to not only promote physical fitness and wellness, but to raise awareness on critical issues that impacted communities.
She said no single sector or organisation could adequately address all elements of GBV prevention and response in isolation, but a multisectoral model representing a holistic and coordinated approach aimed at working at different levels of society and with multiple actors would help.
She said it was through collaborative actions that such grave ills and crimes against children would be addressed or eliminated.
She also said the police would stringently enforce the law on any form of violation of human rights
She said they continued to experience a general increase in road rage where motorists engaged in hostile behaviour, which in some instances resulted in violence.
She further said drivers also continued to disregarded road traffic rules and regulations resulting in serious consequences such as traffic accidents, injuries and fatalities.
She said it was illegal to drink alcohol, take illicit drugs and drive on the road.
She further said the Run was extended to Tsabong, Ghanzi, Maun and Palapye because social ills were national issues.
She said the Run helped participants deal with their pain in a constructive manner.
Therefore, she said GBV required the Police to collaborate with communities to combat the social ills.
She said Botswana Police in collaboration with Fearless Group would undertake a similar exercise every Saturday for the community to participate.
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