Changing male attitudes towards women in Botswana

After growing up with an absent father, Olepolotse Othuseng, who has a two-month-old baby, wants to be the change he had hoped for as a boy growing up
After growing up with an absent father, Olepolotse Othuseng, who has a two-month-old baby, wants to be the change he had hoped for as a boy growing up

OTSE: “We are learning to be better men and to be better parents,” said Olepolotse Othuseng, a young man who grew up without a father present. After completing a UNFPA-supported programme sensitising men and boys on gender equality, he wants to be the change he had hoped for as a boy growing up.

In Botswana, only two out of five men have been raised in families with fathers. The Botswana GBV Indicators Study of 2012 shows that one of the main factors reinforcing the prevalence of gender-based violence is patriarchy, a system that gives men power over women.

Olepolotse is among many in the country who had absent fathers. His dad abused alcohol and left his mother. Now Olepolotse, who is the father of a two-month-old baby, ranks among those who want to be part of a family. This change in attitude is due to the MenCare programme, which is helping to change minds about the value of women and what it means to be a man.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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