The ’90 Minutes Gender against Gender Based Violence’ football tournament, which started yesterday (Saturday), is expected to end today (Sunday). The 5-a-side football tournament is organised by a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Men for Health and Gender Justice. The awareness campaign football tournament is being held at New Era football grounds.
Executive Director for Men for Health and Gender Justice, Thatayotlhe Molefe explained that the tournament is aimed at raising awareness to the male community in Botswana towards attracting men and boys as well as lobby for their commitment to being involved and being responsible men. He also added that the tournament aims to protect women’s rights through ending violence in the homes and communities they reside within. “We managed to attract big corporate teams such as Boitekanelo College, Nashua and Barloworld.”
Molefe added that the organisation is implementing a project supported by the American Embassy of Botswana, which is aimed at strengthening women’s rights through engaging men as leaders of change in the fight to end violence against women and children, particularly girls. “The overall outcome is to use sports such as football which is popular amongst males, to strengthen women’s rights in addressing patriarchal, social and cultural gaps that prevents men to stand up and support women’s rights through ending violence against women and girls,” he said.
Established in February 2012, Men for Health and Gender Justice exists to mobilise men and boys for active involvement in the prevention of gender based violence, promotion of sexual reproductive health rights, gender equality, lobby for access to quality, timely and appropriate health care for men and women for the achievement of gender equality.
