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University of Botswana (UB) Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation, Professor Doreen Ramogola-Masire, has said Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) continues to remain a pressing challenge in Botswana, with high prevalence rate particularly among women. 

Professor Ramogola-Masire made the remarks at a IPV Stigma and Help-Seeking Behaviour Study Finding Lunch Workshop on the 20th of August 2025 at Trave Lodge. She said IPV continued to be a public health problem that affected survivors, perpetrators, families and communities. She highlighted that studies had shown a significant portion of women in Botswana experienced physical or emotional abuse from partners.

Professor Ramogola-Masire further noted that IPV research was vital to understand the scope and consequences of intimate partner violence, leading to better detection, intervention and support for victims. She viewed the research study as an example of UB’s commitment to advancing high-quality, socially impactful research that contributes to society and the development of communities and the region.

National Gender Commission Vice Chairperson, Dr Morenaogaufi Rankopo, highlighting the gender norms and beliefs underlying IPV stigma in Botswana, said intimate partner violence was not only a public health and development challenge but also a major obstacle to achieving gender equality. He said survivors often struggled in silence and fear of stigma.

He said stigma silenced those affected by IPV, prevented families from offering support and discouraged survivors from seeking help from health services, the police or community structures. He added that when stigma thrives, violence also thrives.