What does it mean for us to put anti-violence values into practice each day, in all aspects of our lives? What does it look like for the government, civil society, business, and every part of society to say that enough is enough – that we will no longer tolerate GBV? These are questions we should all be asking ourselves in our homes, our communities, and our countries. GNV is a global dilemma that reaches across all levels of society in every region of the world. The United States is committed to addressing this vast and complex problem that limits the ability of survivors of GBV to fully enjoy their rights. We recognise the critical linkages between gender equality — including prevention and response to GBV — and democracy, national security, economic security, climate change, global public health, and human rights. This is why, over the last two years, the United States has prioritised development and implementation of the US National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality and updated the US Strategy to Prevent & Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally and the US Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security. Botswana, like many countries around the world, including the United States, has seen rising numbers of GBV. In 2008, the government of Botswana passed the Domestic Violence Act, with the aim of protecting GBV survivors. The Act empowers courts, including customary courts, to pass restraining, interim, and tenancy orders, which protect survivors from further abuse. Despite the availability of these legislative protections, some survivors remain vulnerable to their abusers. In the most extreme cases, this has led to the loss of life.
According to the 2018 Botswana National Relationship Study conducted by the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, 37% of women and 21% of men have experienced some form of GBV in their lifetime, including intimate partner violence. Of those interviewed, 69% of women and 43% of men were aware of the laws that protect women and children against abuse, while only five percent of women and 45% of men had heard about the Domestic Violence Act. GBV survivors in Botswana have various platforms and service points where they can report incidents of GBV, including the police, social workers, health care providers, and community leaders. In commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the US Embassy in Botswana embarked on the following activities this year.
