In the early hours of Valentine’s morning a 40 year old woman in Gaborone was raped while running. I’ve struggled to find the words to describe how I felt upon hearing this news. I have always spoken of my love for running outdoors and for my passion of exploring different places. So this news hit me hard. I don’t know this runner but in that moment I felt a crushing pain for her, for what she must have felt and for the journey she now has to take to reach some level of healing from this unimaginable trauma. I cried for her but also for all women, particularly runners, who were hit by the news on that day. I’ve had several messages from women asking if they should still keep running. Usually, I’m unwavering in my stance, that no one should stop us from running. But this time, I didn’t have the heart or the strength to utter those words.
Let me try to explain my thoughts and feelings as best as I can. The first thing that shook me were the similarities – according to reports, she is the same age as me and the assault took place about 3km from my house in an area I’ve run before. She had probably also fought the usual mental battle we runners tend to have on a Monday morning before heading out. In the theme of Valentine’s Day, I’d posted a blog about why I love running. And here was someone doing what they love, only to get violently assaulted. In what world does this even make sense?
The second thing that shook me was our typical “Let’s put it on the woman to stay safe” response. Both the Police and Public, all well-meaning of course, were quick to instruct women to run with someone or in a group, to run at certain times, to avoid certain areas. Don’t get me wrong – I’ve said the same thing. I’ve even written a post about ways women can stay safe on the run. I think we know the rules that have been imposed on us. In fact, the reason I haven’t finished my #RunEveryStreet project in Block 3 is because the last section can’t be done on my own. No, I need my husband there as a form of protection. Imagine that. I need my husband to run with me so I feel safe for what is probably a 5km run. Let that sink in. What exactly is Government, law enforcement, or civil society at large doing to ensure that strategies are put in place to keep US safe? Are we seriously happy to sit back and say “Women should stay safe while running.” We are trying to! The real question is: What are YOU doing to keep us safe?
The third thing that shook me was some of the vitriol on social media – aside from those who blamed women for not taking enough care, there were some men who dared to criticise us for running in tights! Tell me oh wise man, what would you like us to run in? What kind of idiotic comment is that? And why is there no penalty that exists for such comments – if anything, to investigate further what a man who can utter such nonsense is capable of doing if he met said-woman in tights on the street?
Yes, we as women are aware there are measures we can take to feel more secure when we run. We also know that even with those measures, we still experience leering looks, lewd comments, body shaming – but sure, I guess at this point we should be grateful most of those are not life threatening. We are trying to stay safe. But when are we going to focus on real solutions for creating a society where a woman can run in the early morning or on a lonely trail without fear of abuse, assault, rape or murder. It’s time to stop putting the onus on women to change their behaviours to stay safe. Let’s imagine a world where women can safely and rightfully run where we like and alone if that’s what we choose. Let’s change the narrative, let’s change the conversation and focus on real solutions that actually keep women safe.
The Gaborone Runner 
This is a shocking news !! And I echo evey word you say. As women we do take precautions, but we should still be able to run alone. I did not run almost the entire winter last year because daylight was late and by the time it came I had to leave for work. Men should become responsible and so should the government in protecting its public.
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100% Pramila! The comments all of last week focused on what we should do to stay safe. No, that’s not the answer. Every day that’s what we try and do. But the fact is we should be allowed to run in peace and ALONE or in the dark if that’s what we choose WITHOUT fear of attack. That’s the issue.
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I am so sorry for the pain and turmoil you must be experiencing. Iām feeling it, too. Itās an outrage that these horrific attacks happenā¦ it feels like an attack on women, in general, and not just on those directly involved. Thinking of you ā¤
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It really does feel like an attack on women. And I can’t believe in 2022, we are still here fighting for basic freedoms like running in peace.
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As a man, the responsibility is on us to raise boys to become men who are respectful and care about all women. Iām embarrassed by my fellow men and will try my best to get us to do better
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Thanks my friend. We need more men like you to join this cause and fight this fight.
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This is just so shocking and sad. And sadly, it happens everywhere in the world! So sick of it! I grieve with you for this poor woman who just wanted to get out and have a run. Just so sad š
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I alluded to it in a post in November, but same here. The route I run almost every Monday and Wednesday, and while I don’t know the runner either, I’m sure I knew her by sight. So frightening.
“What exactly is Government, law enforcement, or civil society at large doing to ensure that strategies are put in place to keep US safe? ”
And yes, 1000% yes. Why do we have to change our behavior when we’re not causing the problem?
Hugs my friend.
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This is so sad. Canāt believe in 2022 women still have to worry.
Thanks for sharing.
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oh wow, Shathiso. This is heartbreaking. That poor woman. And wow, don’t run in tights? Come on. That makes me angry. We can run in whatever we want, it is no way ‘asking for it’ or any of that other ridiculousness.
Thank you for sharing.
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I was stumped by that. Most comments were well meaning in the sense they were giving ideas to stay safe. Not real long term solutions but at least they showed some “care”. But then you had those who clearly should be investigated further. Honestly, what should we be running in?! That threw me off. š”
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I’m so angry and tired of these kinds of attacks and the typical public response. My heart breaks for the woman who was attacked. It is truly time for society to step up and stop blaming the victim. The burden should not be on us women.
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You’ve said it all, I have no more words.
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This is heart-breaking… and infuriating and I am so sick and tired of women being “blamed” for this. I mean, I understand why we’re told to take certain measures to protect ourselves (we all do it!) but it shouldn’t be that way. The responsibility of fixing this is on society and on men, who commit these horrible attacks. I always wonder what has happened to them to act out so violently???
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