Women’s Shelter counsels men_mmegi

Name of the article: Women’s Shelter counsels men

Name of publication: Mmegi newspaper

Date: 19 November 2010

Country: Botswana

Skills: Fairness

Genre: News

Theme: 16 Days of Activism

Description of the article: The Women’s Shelter has it upon themselves to counsel men who come to the shelter with marital and Gender Based Violence (GBV).

Shupiwe Letso of Women’s Shelter said that now that women have been empowered to have a voice it is time to shift the camera lens to the men.

The Gender Links Coordinator, Keabonye Ntsabane, said that the service provided by the Women’s Shelter, as the only drop-off centre in the country is not enough.”The issue of Gender Violence looks like it has been left to a certain population. We want members of Parliament and councillors to come on board as it is their people who are suffering on the ground from this predicament,” she said.  

The year’s global theme for the 16 Days of Activism Campaign is ” Structures of violence accentuating the intersection of HIV/AIDS with the focus on taking stock of achievements in addressing violence against women.”

This article may be used to:

• illustrate Gender Based Violence
• promote discusions around Gender Based Violence
• discuss the impact of Gender Based Violence

Trainer’s notes:

The article is balanced and fair, it is about both men and women who are abused. The article mentions organisations for both men and women, Men Sector and Women’s Shelter. The sources are appropriate and relevant to the topic. This article challenges stereotypes that only women are abused.

Discussion Questions:

• What is Gender Based Violence?
• What impact does Gender Based Violence has?
• Who bears the brunt of Gender Based Violence?
• What can be done to eradicate Gender Based violence?

Training Exercises:

• Conduct a research on the Women’s Shelter on how it operates
• Do a follow up article after the 16 Days of Activism

 Other Training Resources:

Related GL Commentaries:

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