Okavango Sub-District has been nominated for this year’s second annual Men and Boys Gender Equality Anti GBV Awards billed for July 22.
This year’s awards are to recognize and appreciate the efforts of men, women and entities who work tirelessly to end GBV, supporting victims and rehabilitate offenders.
The district was nominated after submitting its documented activities through videos and photographs showing their work with communities in combating GBV and supporting victims as well as rehabilitating offenders. The district is participating on the Anti GBV awards under the best Local Authority category.
Okavango Sub District Anti GBV Unit Sspokesperson Oratile Kopano has said in the event they win the award, they intend to use proceeds to raise funds for the development of a GBV action plan.
She noted that the action plan will be developed in efforts to combat escalating numbers of gender based violence practices in Okavango. They will further start a Gender Based Violence Support Group to establish an income generating project for GBV survivors.
“This action plan will be an ongoing initiative which some of its outcomes includes improved quality of life for GBV survivors, reduced numbers of GBV cases in the district and having a community which is aware of the effects of GBV which is also supporting us to stand against GBV,” Kopano noted.
She explained that the action plan also aims at reducing high numbers of GBV cases within the Okavango Sub-District through educating both victims and the community on GBV as well as empowerment of GBV victims and raising awareness.
“The awards came at a time when our district is facing high GBV cases, we have registered over 22 case of rape, four case of incest and four case of sexual abuse in the district this year,” Kopano revealed.
“Please vote for Okavango sub-district by SMS MB2 to 17676 SMS cost P3.00, your vote will make a difference,” she pleaded.
Men and Boys for gender equality, is a Non-Governmental Organisation that engages men and boys to reduce gender inequalities, GBV, prevent HIV and promote health and wellbeing of women, men and children.
Meanwhile an official from the NGO, Hirschfeld Halle has explained that entrants were nominated through different anti GBV activities within their communities which were documented in photographs and videos.
She noted that the work of the entrants will be shared on the organization’s social media platforms and the entrants will be given a short code for use by members of the public to vote for them through the organization’s SMS Line.
“The voting competition which is currently running will run until July and the awards will be hosted on the 22nd July 2022,” Halle revealed.
“It is not every day that these heroes get applauded for their work and these awards are aimed at saluting and encouraging them to continues with their good deeds.”
