Violence can be tackled through education, says Goi

By BRADLEY MARIORI
GENDER-based violence (GBV) is like a pandemic. When things are put in order to tackle it, it can be achieved, a cabinet minister says.
Minister for Community Development, Youth and Religion Wake Goi believes they can come up with policies and issues to try to debate and amend laws in relation to violence, especially violence against women. But it needed a collective effort to succeed, he said.
Goi said through education and awareness on how to deal with certain problems, violence could be minimised.
He said men needed to be educated more on how to deal with issues to tackle violence.
Violence is not planned but occurs out of frustration and anger at most times, he said.
“When men are aware and understand how to deal with problems and their anger, they will learn to treat others in a better way,” Goi said.
“For law-enforcing bodies to enforce law on violence, perpetrators should face the full consequences of their actions which will paint a picture to others and they will cut down on violence.
“Many reported cases were removed from court or police and solved outside and this didn’t help.
“If someone is wrong and is arrested by police, let that person go and face it and he will think twice before committing violence again.
“Awareness after awareness has been given but many don’t take it seriously.
“If people take them seriously, there will be change in the society.”
Goi said those who did not listen to advice about violence were the ones committing and repeating the act in communities.
“We need to talk and educate people over and over on GBV, there will be a time we will be free of violence.
“As a department, we are doing our best and non-governmental organisations and other agencies are also doing their best to address GBV,” Goi said.