By Michael Matebele

BOPA/DAILYNEWS

A renowned disk jokie, Ontshepile Gaoforwe also known as DJ Mximbi in Kgalagadi music circles has taken a stand to end violence against women & girls through organising and introducing 5-aside ladies tournament that will be held in Kang on the 27 of October. In an interview, Gaoforwe, 27, who serves as a manager for DJ Mximbi Sounds and also a project coordinator for this initiative said as one of the concerned citizen he was highly affected and traumatized by recent rife cases of killings and violence against women and girls across Botswana. Therefore he found it imperative 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. Gaoforwe explained that the tournament, which will take place on Saturday at Motaung Young Fighters Football grounds, 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. The theme for this tournament is #He ema kgathanong le kgokgontsho ya bomme; translated "We stand against women violence". Four ladies teams will be selected to play in this social cohesion 5-aside tournament. The first game will kick-start at 7am to 8am followed by the second game which will start at 0830hrs and finish at 0930hrs. Winners will progress to the finals, where the champions will take home a trophy and gold medals. Through this exciting 5-aside ladies tournament, the programme is also expected to successfully encourage youth to reject the practice of female mutilation. “No woman deserves to be raped, or be submitted to female mutilation, or any barbaric blows and wounds, they are our sisters, mothers and grandmothers,” implored Gaoforwe. The tournament will also build alliances with men and supporting them to stand and speak out against such violence as part of UN Women’s HeForShe campaign. In this regard, Gaoforwe has invited GBV advocate, Yandani Boko to be the guest speaker and lay a red carpet for men to express their views in the fight to end violence against women & girls. “In Botswana, a man is perceived as the head of the family therefore it is vital that men agree to say no to violence against women and girls,” said Gaoforwe. He added that woman is the mainstay of the family. “That said the very happiness of the family rests on her, so I am inviting all men and women to support this feminist cause, the noblest cause by joining us in the saying no to violence against women and girls in Botswana,” he implored.