The most comprehensive compilation of information on the status of
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Latest items for Botswana

March 11, 2024, 2:54 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: IRP-LAW-1

"Is selling sex criminalised? Selling sex is legal but soliciting is illegal. Is buying sex criminalised? No. Is organising/managing criminalised? Yes, living on the earnings, exercising control, direction or influence over sex worker as to show that aiding, abetting or 'compelling prostitution' guilty of an offence. Brothel-keeping also criminalised as is procuring." (para 1-3).
Feb. 2, 2024, 6:33 a.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: DV-DATA-1

According to 2022 data from the WHO's Global Health Observatory, the proportion of ever-partnered women and girls (aged 15-49) in Botswana who have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by a current or former intimate partner in their lifetime is 34 percent (KMM-CODER COMMENT).
Jan. 24, 2024, 3:24 p.m.
Countries: Angola, Bangladesh, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Laos, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Senegal, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia
Variables: MMR-SCALE-2

3
Jan. 24, 2024, 3:19 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: MMR-SCALE-1

186
Jan. 24, 2024, 3:15 p.m.
Countries: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma/Myanmar, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Rep, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote D'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, D R Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, Namibia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad/Tobago, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Variables: ERBG-SCALE-1

1more
Jan. 24, 2024, 3:06 p.m.
Countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma/Myanmar, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Rep, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, D R Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nicaragua, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad/Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Variables: DACH-SCALE-2

1more
Jan. 24, 2024, 3:03 p.m.
Countries: Afghanistan, Angola, Bolivia, Botswana, Burma/Myanmar, Burundi, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia
Variables: DACH-SCALE-1

2
Jan. 21, 2024, 11:10 a.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: MMR-DATA-1

According to a 2023 report on global trends in maternal mortality from 2000-2020 published by the WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group, and UNDESA/Population Division, in 2020 the maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births) in Botswana was 186 (KMM-CODER COMMENT).
Jan. 20, 2024, 1:37 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: ERBG-DATA-2

According to 2023 World Bank Gender Data collected from the most recent ILO modeled estimates from 2020 onwards, the female laborforce participation rate (as a percentage of the female population ages 15+) in Botswana is 60% (KMM-CODER COMMENT).
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-5

"The payment of bogadi (dowry)" was discussed during the 2008 national consultations on gender (6).
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: UVAW-PRACTICE-1

"Botswana is also afflicted by the challenge of high prevalence of violence against women and girls. The Gender Based Violence Indicators Study conducted in 2012 reflects that 67.3% of women in Botswana have experienced gender based violence in their lifetime. The country was scored at 53% on the SADC Gender and Development Index (SGDI) documented in the 2012 Botswana SADC Gender Protocol Barometer" (32-33)
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-7

"The Abolition of Marital Power Act has enabled women to acquire property and have meaningful participation on joint property which was otherwise administered by their spouses without consent. Most importantly women can acquire their own place of residence on permanent basis and independent of the man" (37). This suggests that before this legal change, husbands controlled both property and residence, which may be indicative of a patrilineal system with patrilocal marriage (VMH - CODER COMMENT).
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: MMR-DATA-1

"The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) was reported at 186/100,000 in 2011 and 147.9/100,000 in 2012" (19). "Studies reveal that there have been decreases in number of maternal deaths in Botswana. In year 2008, a total number of 88 cases of maternal deaths were recorded as compared to 85 cases in 2011. The 2010 Maternal Mortality Ratio was lower at 163.0 per 100,000 live births compared to the year 2008 at 195.7 per 100,000 live births. This ratio decreased from 188.7 per 100,000 live births in 2011 to 147.9 per 100,000 live births in 2012. Botswana Maternal Mortality Ratio for the period 2008 to 2012 is given in Table 15" (31).more
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: MMR-PRACTICE-1

"Maternal Mortality Ratio in Botswana continues to decline. Some of the leading causes of maternal mortality have been identified as haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, abortion and HIV/AIDS related infections" (7). "According to the Maternal Mortality Audit Report of 2012, the leading top four causes of maternal mortality in Botswana have been identified as haemorrhage (28%), hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (17%), abortion (15%) and HIV/AIDS related infections (17%). Botswana has adopted the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths (CEMD) as a form of maternal mortality audit process. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) was reported at 186/100,000 in 2011 and 147.9/100,000 in 2012" (19). "The Maternal and Neonatal Health Programme initiated the...more
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: MULV-LAW-1

"[C]aregivers of people with multiple disabilities (i.e. people with disabilities who need a care-giver round the clock) are allowed to get economic empowerment support on behalf of those living with disability under their care, including their children" (14). "The Employment (Amendment) Act of 2010 has set a minimum pay of 50% salary for women on maternity leave as compared to the previous dispensation where it was left to the discretion of the employer" (19, 30).
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: TRAFF-LAW-3

"Immigration laws have no provision addressing trafficking" (16).
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: SRACE-PRACTICE-2

"The Government in collaboration with civil society organisations continue to implement comprehensive empowerment programmes including life skills, technical skills, business management and financial assistance for income generating projects to enhance opportunities for employment creation for women. These facilitate reintegration of commercial sex workers into society. Current efforts to provide alternatives to commercial sex work include: youth and women empowerment programmes including development of business and technical skills, financial support for entrepreneurship and enterprise development; poverty eradication programmes; micro lending programmes to provide start-up capital and mentorship for small businesses; provision of free education, back-to-school programme for youth who dropped out and those who previously failed, re-admission after pregnancy; orphan care...more
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: TRAFF-DATA-1

"Research to assess the prevalence of trafficking has not yet been carried out" (16).
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: TRAFF-LAW-1

"Botswana has put into place the Anti-Human Trafficking Act of 2014 in order to curb trafficking in persons particularly women and children" (6). "The Protocol on the Suppression and Punishment of Trafficking in persons especially women and children was ratified in August 2002 as a way of trying to curb the issue of trafficking and exploitation. It must however, be noted that Immigration laws have no provision addressing trafficking but there are deliberate measures in place to prevent child trafficking. Anybody travelling with a child outside the country is required to have an affidavit from the child’s parents or guardian. Research to assess the prevalence of trafficking has not yet...more
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: LO-LAW-1

"The Married Persons Property Act, 2014 makes provision for persons married under customary law to opt for the property to be administered under civil law. Those already married will further be permitted to change the status of their proprietary regime from out-of-community to in-community of property or vice versa depending on what works best for them" (8). "[Customary law is particularly enforced in rural areas, where local customs are still very vibrant. This can have great adverse impacts on rural women’s enjoyment of their human rights, particularly in the area of family law, inheritance and land tenure, among others" (11). "The Government has also taken affirmative action to promote economic...more
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-1

"Women are subjected to customary law and they lack knowledge and information, particularly on marriage laws and this continues to perpetuate discriminatory practices in the area of marriage under customary law. The Legal Aid Programme has been established to deal with issues of access to justice and Legal Aid Act was passed in 2013. This will greatly enhance access to justice by women" (8). "The key challenge is that a significant number of Batswana women are subjected to customary law even though Constitutional law takes precedence over it. The lack of knowledge and information on the part of women themselves regarding Marriage laws and their implications have perpetuated discriminatory practices...more
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: MARR-LAW-5

"Women are subjected to customary law and they lack knowledge and information, particularly on marriage laws and this continues to perpetuate discriminatory practices in the area of marriage under customary law" (8). "The Marriage Act applies to all marriages solemnised in Botswana except marriages contracted in accordance with customary law of Botswana, Muslim or Hindu or other marriages" (11). "Customary law is unwritten, evolves and changes over time, and in principle is a plural body of law in and of itself, in that its content varies among tribes. Although the content of customary law is distinct from common law, the general framework for its application and the structures which enforce...more
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: MARR-LAW-3

"With the Abolition of the Marital Power Act, 2004, women have the right to act in their independent capacity with regard to their personal life and participate in decision making in the case of joint property previously administered by their spouses prior to 2004. This also enables married women to make their own legal representation" (21). "The Abolition of Marital Power Act has enabled women to acquire property and have meaningful participation on joint property which was otherwise administered by their spouses without consent. Most importantly women can acquire their own place of residence on permanent basis and independent of the man" (37). "With regard to the acquisition of immovable...more
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"Some of the gaps identified as hindrances in the effective implementation of the Domestic Violence Act, 2008 were addressed through the development of Regulations to this Act in 2013. The Government continues to provide technical and financial support to non-governmental organizations to offer counselling services to GBV survivors and their families and shelter facilities. In 2011, there was developed Gender Based Violence Health Sector Policy Framework and Health Care Service Providers Protocols and Service Standards. The Botswana Police Service has also included gender and gender based violence in their pre-service and in service training" (6). "Stiffer measures have been put in place to prohibit withdrawal of domestic violence cases at...more
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: LRW-LAW-1

"The Domestic Violence Act, 2008 abolishes spousal exclusion in rape cases . . . Moreover, it eliminated the common law spousal exclusion." (15). "[T]he Government acknowledges that currently there is no specific legislation that addresses sexual abuse" (15). "In terms of Section 45 of the Interpretation (Amendment) Act, 2013 the legal age of majority in Botswana is 18 years irrespective of sex. This effectively accords any such person locus standi to act in his/her name without any parental consent, save for persons who have been mentally incapacitated" (21).
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: LRCM-PRACTICE-1

"...contrary to public opinion...marital rape is prohibited" (15). Because many people are seemingly unaware that marital rape is prohibited, it is implied that the laws against marital rape are not well enforced (AMC - CODER COMMENT).
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2

"The Domestic Violence Act, 2008 abolishes spousal exclusion in rape cases. The Act provides a wide range of remedies for abuse and abusive behaviour including 'sexual abuse or threat thereof' in a 'domestic relationship'. Domestic relationship in terms of Section 2 of the Act includes a relationship where people 'are or were married to each other'. The Domestic Violence Act is a clear legislative statement of public policy which advances the construction of Section 141 of the Penal Code to include marital rape. It is a clear intent to criminalise abusive conduct even within the marriage. Moreover, it eliminated the common law spousal exclusion. The High Court in 2008 addressed...more
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: LR-DATA-1

"Gender parity has been reached on the literacy rate in Botswana" (7). “The Botswana Core Welfare Indicators Survey 2009/10 indicates that the national literacy rate for those aged 15–65 years is 83.2%, with females at 83.8% and males at 82.3%" (17). "Botswana has recorded a rising adult literacy rate of adults aged 15 and above, respectively 87.12 per cent females and 86.34 per cent males" (35).
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: LO-PRACTICE-1

"Ownership of livestock and small stock remain predominantly in the hands of men. Government’s agricultural schemes such as Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development have a deliberate window that promotes increased women’s access to productive resources including small stock and boreholes (7). “With respect to ownership of land as indicated in the last report, women and men have equal right to own land. The Ministry of Lands and Housing has aligned their administration arrangements and practice with the law to afford married women equal chance with men to own land. There is need to continue public education to promote knowledge on the right to land ownership and strengthen capacity to challenge...more
Jan. 16, 2024, 6:33 p.m.
Countries: Botswana
Variables: LO-DATA-3

“Data sourced from the Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) indicates that between 2005 and 2012, the majority of urban houses mainly in the cities of Gaborone and Francistown were purchased by men at 51.73% while females followed at 48.7%” (21). “With access to resources a striking pattern of gendered-access is reflected. Although women constitute a significant majority amongst subsistence farmers, ownership and control of land resources reflect a male dominance. Information from the Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC), a Parastatal Organization wholly owned by the government of Botswana, indicates that between 2005 and 2012, the majority of urban houses mainly in the cities of Gaborone and Francistown were purchased by men at...more