Women Against Rape (WAR) has announced a significant expansion of its services with the planned opening of new offices in Shakawe.
The move builds on the human rights organisation’s continued strive to support survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV), especially women and children. WAR already has a rescue centre in Maun with another office situated in Gumare.
In an interview, WAR director, Peggy Ramaphane confirmed plans of extending its services to Shakawe by constructing a new rescue centre and an office at the village. According to her, the facilities will cater for GBV survivors in Shakawe village and surrounding areas.
She emphasised that the two facilities will go a long way in saving travel expenses and time of survivors based in those remote areas who only had to access services either in Gumare or Maun. Ramaphane added that the rescue centre at the same time will also remove Maun shelter from the pressure, congestion and overcrowding of clients.
WAR shelters provide GBV victims and survivors with safe temporary accommodations, nutritious meals, medical care, counselling and other relative support services of major importance they require.
Ramaphane indicated that they are awaiting funding from the government to carry out the projects, having already submitted their budget proposal to the relevant ministry. She added that they are also awaiting allocation of a plot for the projects.
Meanwhile, she mentioned that they are being underfunded due to their limited coverage, as WAR currently supports only North West region GBV survivors. In the previous financial year, she explained, WAR was funded an amount of P1, 760, 051.00 noting that the money was diverted towards maintaining and up keeping the accommodation shelter.
Ramaphane appreciated the help they receive from the government and other sponsors in supporting GBV survivors and Gender equality advocacy campaigns. She confirmed that before the year ends they would have received their share of the current financial year from the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs noting they intend to expand their service units to a wider coverage.
On other related issues, the Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, Lesego Chombo, this past week stated they are committed to supporting rights groups, adding they have on the current financial year, diverted about P8, 360, 037.53 towards Botswana Gender Based Violence Prevention and Support Centre (BGVPSC).
Chombo added that they plan to implement other gender support services under the National Development Plan 12 including the GBV one- stop service centres, where survivors will be given access to medical care, counselling, police assistance and legal support, all in one place without traversing through various offices for such services.
