Botswana is facing a grim and escalating crisis of gender-based violence (GBV) that has reached a breaking point, with the Alliance for Progressives (AP) Women’s League declaring it a national emergency in a recent press statement. The statistics paint a harrowing picture: nearly 70% of women in Botswana have experienced some form of GBV during their lifetime, a figure more than double the global average. Yet only a tiny fraction—about 1.2%—of these cases are reported to the authorities, leaving the true scale of violence shrouded in silence. In 2023 alone, over 18,000 cases were recorded by the Botswana Police Service, but experts estimate the actual number could be as much as seven times higher, a staggering indication of under-reporting and systemic neglect.
The spike in violence is particularly stark during peak times such as the 2024 festive season, when 60.7% of offenses against persons—181 out of 298—were related to GBV, including nearly 100 rapes and 10 murders. In just two weeks, Botswana recorded 93 rapes and 10 GBV-related murders, underscoring the acute urgency of the crisis. Children are especially vulnerable, with nearly a thousand defilement cases reported in the first half of 2023 and over 5,000 cases documented between 2019 and 2022. These aren’t just numbers; they represent lives shattered, families torn apart, and communities living in fear.
Thoko Rangaswamy, President AP Women’s League says despite the severity of the problem, Botswana’s justice system is failing survivors on many fronts. The AP Women’s League points to the troubling reality that perpetrators of GBV frequently receive bail, even in the most serious cases of rape and murder, allowing them to return to the communities of their victims and perpetuate cycles of intimidation and trauma. Conviction rates remain abysmally low, with less than 1% of GBV cases resulting in convictions and over 40% being withdrawn. This is despite recent legislative reforms, including a 2023 amendment to the Penal Code mandating a minimum 20-year sentence for rape. The disconnect between law and enforcement has left survivors without faith in the system meant to protect them.
Public outrage is palpable. According to Afrobarometer surveys, 59% of Batswana identify GBV as the most pressing women’s rights issue, and 90% believe that physical violence against wives is never justified. Yet the silence and inaction from political, traditional, and community leaders have been deafening. The AP Women’s League has called for bold, vocal leadership that condemns GBV unequivocally and puts survivor protection and justice at the heart of Botswana’s national agenda. Leadership silence, they warn, is complicity.
The League’s demands are sweeping and urgent. Rangaswamy says they call for a formal national declaration of GBV as a crisis, with the President of Botswana taking personal leadership in the fight. They want Peace Desks staffed by trauma-informed officers at every police station, fast-tracking of prosecutions for GBV cases, and a strict no-bail policy for suspects in rape and murder cases. Survivors need expanded support services, including shelters and counseling, and mandatory sensitivity training for police and judiciary personnel. The call extends beyond the justice system: community engagement campaigns must mobilize men and boys as allies in prevention, and gender equality education must be integrated into schools from primary through tertiary levels.
A key piece of their platform is transparency and accountability. The League demands a publicly accessible national data dashboard that tracks every stage of GBV cases, from bail decisions to prosecutions and convictions. This would be a radical step for Botswana, where data gaps and under-reporting have long obscured the crisis and hindered effective policy responses. Making data visible and accessible would empower citizens, civil society, and policymakers alike to hold institutions accountable.
Botswana has made some strides in addressing GBV, such as establishing a Gender and Child Protection Branch within the police service. Yet these efforts have not stemmed the tide of violence. Experts stress the need for a shift from reactive responses to prevention-focused strategies. This includes dismantling harmful gender norms that perpetuate violence, addressing societal attitudes that tolerate abuse, and ensuring survivors—especially men and boys—have safe spaces to report and heal.
The crisis in Botswana reflects a broader pattern seen across many African nations, where high rates of GBV intersect with weak justice systems and cultural barriers to reporting. But Botswana’s situation is particularly acute, earning it the unfortunate distinction of having one of the highest rape rates globally. The social and economic costs are immense, threatening the safety, dignity, and freedom of all citizens. The AP Women’s League’s declaration is not just a call to action—it is a demand for survival.
As Botswana stands at this crossroads, the question is whether the nation’s leaders will rise to the occasion or continue to allow this humanitarian crisis to fester. The AP Women’s League has pledged to be relentless advocates in every community and government space until meaningful change is achieved. Their message is clear: the time for silence and half-measures is over. Gender-based violence is a national emergency, and it must be treated as such with urgency, transparency, and bold leadership.
This crisis is a test of Botswana’s values and commitment to human rights. The lives of thousands of women, girls, and men depend on it. The world watches, but the real change must come from within—the voices of survivors, the courage of leaders, and the collective will of a nation resolved to be safe for all.
