Even though government condemns Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in all its forms and has gone all out to find ways of curbing cases of GBV, Women in Botswana continue to be subjected to various forms of violence

As such, the war against violence on women and girls is yet to be won because it is still a common occurrence and a day hardly goes by without a report of a case of violence against women, be it in towns or villages.

Cases vary and may include sexual abuse, rape, defilement and incest. GBV activist, Janet Taunyane of Mpulubusi ward in Serowe aged 36 has written an inspirational book on GBV titled Rise from her ordeals.

Taunyane said her book that was launched in February 2018, was meant to help GBV survivors cope with what had happened to them and restore their hope.

It talks about how to cope with the results of GBV given that victims come out depressed, are anxious, frustrated, lonely and suffer other mental setbacks.

“My advice to those in abusive relationships is for them to see themselves beyond their current situation and living a better life.

This is one of the topics I cover in my book,” Taunyane stated and added that most chapters covered how to come out of being bound.

She also stated that the book gave birth a drama production that touched on GBV issues.

Taunyane said the production was often used by other activists for workshops and that a production company called Wavelanes had shown interest in producing a movie based on the book.

She said the book, popular among adults, was mostly advertised through social media and those who needed a copy were free to contact her in Serowe.

Narrating her ordeal, Ms Taunyane said she was abused at a tender age, was raped by a garden boy who worked at her home in Selebi Phikwe. She was doing Standard two at the time.

When in Standard Five, Taunyane said she was molested by a family friend who was close to her father. She recalled that she reported none of the incidents to her parents, both of whom had passed on, and they left her greatly traumatised.

Taunyane said she lived with the scars until an encounter with a group of counsellors while at the University of Botswana (UB), where she was pursuing a Business Management course. It was then that she revealed what had happened to her.

She said she joined various motivational groups at UB, where she shared her stories.

It was then that she found some peace. Taunyane urged those who had suffered abuse and never reported to seek help so that they could heal.