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University of Botswana (UB) Law Department Human Rights Lecturer, DrTshepiso Shamisa has stated that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remained one of the most pressing challenges in Botswana, often perpetuated by men.

Dr Shamisa made the remarks during a Gender Based Violence campaign titled: Man to Men held at the UB Library Auditorium on the 9th of May 2025. The campaign was aimed at advocating for initiative designed to address the ongoing crisis of GBV in Botswana and to engage, educate and empower men and boys to become proactive allies in the fight against the scourge.

Dr Shamisa revealed that statistics showed two-thirds of women and children in Botswana experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives. He pointed out that the prevalence of GBV in the country was usually attributed to entrenched patriarchal norms, economic inequalities and a culture that often saw women as inferior.

He further noted that men in Botswana could also experience gender-based violence including physical, psychological and emotional abuse. He said GBV against men, was often underreported due to societal stigma and a culture of silence. 

Gaborone West Customary Court Tribal Administration leader, Kgosi Arnold Somolokae, said Botswana had one of the highest incidences of domestic violence. He stated that everyday women were murdered, physically and sexually assaulted, threatened and humiliated by their partners, within their own homes. He also noted that women were more often subjected to violence significantly more than men in Botswana.

Kgosi Somolekae said men and youth in Botswana needed to be engaged in efforts to prevent GBV as they were both perpetrators and potential allies in addressing the issue. He advised GBV victims not to remain silent and report cases of GBV. Kgosi Somolekae noted that Botswana had a legal framework including the Penal Code to address GBV.

UB Media Studies Public Relations Fourth Year Student, Ms Angelah Phuthego, said the campaign was part of a broader movement to address the alarming prevalence of GBV in Botswana. She highlighted that the campaign was designed to be an inclusive and action-oriented platform that directly engaged men and boys as part of the solution to end GBV.

Ms Phuthego noted that the aim of the campaign was to foster meaningful conversations among men about the root causes, consequences and solutions to GBV while promoting values of accountability, respect, equality and empathy. She said the campaign further sought to challenge harmful gender norms and redefine masculinity by empowering men to be allies and advocates in their communities.