Big game, Botswana © Kristi Kenyon

Haircut shack, Thamaga, Botswana © Kristi Kenyon

Millennium Development Goals in Botswana

Urban dairy farming, Gaborone, Botswana © Kristi Kenyon

Predictions envisage that Botswana will "likely" or "potentially" meet almost all of its commitments to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), many of which coincide with the government's own Vision 2016 objectives. Elements of two Goals are already listed as "achieved": universal access to basic education and reducing gender disparity in all education. It is estimated that 88% of children are enrolled in school and that 30% complete secondary school. However, concerns have been raised that the 2006 re-introduction of school fees will reverse progress in enrolment.

Many of the targets in Vision 2016 are tougher than the MDGs. For example, the country faces considerable challenges in reducing violence against women and reducing to zero by 2009 the number of HIV positive babies born to infected mothers. It is also considered "unlikely" that Botswana will eliminate poverty by 2016, given UNDP estimates placing up to 47% of the population beneath the poverty line, rising to 50% in female-headed households and impacting even more heavily on the country's 160,000 orphans.

Politics and Civil Society in Botswana

Since independence in 1966, Botswana has been a stable multi-party democracy governed continuously by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). In the last election, held in October 2004, the BDP won 44 of 57 elected seats in the National Assembly led by President Festus Mogae. Four additional Members of Parliament sit in the National Assembly appointed by the ruling party. A House of Chiefs provides representation to traditional leaders from the nation's major tribes. Chiefs of the Barolong, Bangwato, Balete, Batlokwa, Bakwena, Bakgatla, Bangwaketse and Batawana are represented in addition to 4 elected members from the North East, Chobe, Kgalagadi and Ghanzi districts and 3 members elected by the other 12.

There are a number of opposition parties and dissenting voices are heard and visible in the media. Elections in the country are reported to meet international standards of free and fair elections, though there were some complaints made by opposition members about unequal access to state-owned television during the campaigning process in the last election. Concerns have also been raised within the academic community about the method of succession, as new leaders within the BDP are usually brought in between rather than at the time of elections.

No rush in Botswana © Kristi Kenyon

There is a vibrant community of civil society organizations, many of whom are grouped under the umbrella Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations. Although civil society is quite active, vocal criticism of the government is relatively rare. In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult for non-governmental organizations to obtain international funding, due to the departure of donors as a result of the country's ranking as a middle income country.
HIV/AIDS in Botswana

HIV/AIDS overshadows all of the country's development indicators, with an estimated 37% of Batswana between the ages of 15 and 49 infected with the virus. In recognition of the broad-reaching impact of HIV, the government initiated a multi-sectoral approach identifying the effects of the virus in different areas of life and society. In cooperation with international donors the country has also put in place a network of free voluntary testing and counseling centres, a prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) program, and a national anti-retroviral (ARV) program to provide HIV positive citizens with access to life prolonging medication. As of 2007 85% of those who needed ARVs were receiving them free of charge. In January 2004 Botswana became the first country to introduce routine testing into all health facilities.

Billboard for HIV positive mothers, Botswana © Kristi Kenyon

Despite many positive developments Botswana continues to face challenges both in the equitable and effective delivery of prevention and treatment services, and in slowing the number of new infections. Although the number of people tested has increased since routine testing came into effect, the lack of qualitative data has raised concerns about informed consent - even with increased testing, less than 30% of Batswana reportedly know their HIV status. Education and awareness campaigns are widespread but neglect related topics such as domestic violence and transmission through stigmatised behaviour, including sex between men and sex work.

Public facilities are frequently overburdened and many people either do not seek or are not able to access care until they are seriously ill. Marginalised groups, including remote area dwellers and undocumented migrants, face further barriers in accessing treatment. HIV has seriously impacted on family structures and it is not uncommon for children to raise siblings after the death of their parents. The burden of care usually falls on women, even when both partners are ill.

The virus has also highlighted problems in the area of inheritance, where vulnerable women or children often face "property grabbing" after the death of a spouse or parent. Despite the high prevalence rate, there remains a lack of legal protection from discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived HIV status that continues to occur. Discrimination remains a serious problem and there have been a number of reports, and several court cases, involving job loss as a result of HIV status or the refusal to take an HIV test.
Human Rights in Botswana

Botswana is generally considered to have a good human rights record. A stable government and the absence of civil war or violent repression means that the country has been spared the large-scale human rights abuses that have plagued other countries in the region.

The country maintains the death penalty and has reportedly executed 38 people since independence. In some of these instances concerns have been raised about the fairness of the trial and the lack of notification to family and legal counsel prior to execution. Corporal punishment, in the form of lashings across the buttocks, is administered in customary courts called kgotlas.

Child care, Botswana © Kristi Kenyon

Violence against women and children is widespread. High numbers of rapes are reported and spousal killings, locally termed "passion killings" appear to be on the increase. There is no law explicitly prohibiting domestic violence or marital rape. In a move seen as controversial, "marital power" was abolished in common law marriages in late 2004, making men and women joint heads of households.

Violence by law enforcement officials has been reported on arrest, particularly with reference to Basarwa charged with poaching, and in detention. Prison conditions are reportedly poor; overcrowding is common but has been decreasing in severity in recent years. The provision of condoms in prison is not permitted due to the criminalization of same sex sexual activity. There have been reports of both consensual and non-consensual sex within prison as well as concerns about HIV transmission. Since 2006 anti-retroviral drugs have been available to HIV positive prisoners who are citizens.
Information and Media in Botswana

Botswana is considered to have a relatively free privately-owned press and a somewhat restricted state media. In the past some journalists have been assaulted or faced threats due to negative reports regarding the government and, in 2005 two foreign journalists were deported for this reason.

AIDS prevention on Radio Botswana © United Nations Children's Fund

The country has one government run television station although South African satellite television is also available to subscribers. There are 2 FM commercial stations in Gaborone, and Radio Botswana 1 and 2 operating on multiple AM, FM and shortwave frequencies throughout the country. There are at least 5,820 internet hosts. Cell phone usage is widespread with more than 979,000 cell phones in use in Botswana, more than seven times the number of landlines.

Freedom of expression, while generally respected, was called into question in early 2005 with the ordered deportation of Ken Good, a foreign professor of Political Science at the University of Botswana, allegedly for writing a paper critical of the government's method of succession. Mr. Good was deported on 31 May 2005 immediately following a High Court ruling upholding the deportation order issued by President Festus Mogae in February 2005. According to Botswana law the government was not obliged to give the reason for the deportation. Minority Groups in Botswana

Maarama Phologo, tortured for hunting to feed his family © Survival International

In 2002, some Gana and Gwi peoples, a marginalised group also termed collectively as Basarwa, San or Bushmen, were relocated from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) to new villages bordering that territory. The relocation led to the longest court case in Botswana's history and a highly polarized and publicized dispute between the Government of Botswana, international non-governmental organization Survival International (SI) and local organisations.

The court case was initiated in 2002, and following several delays and a successful appeal, a final verdict was reached in December 2006. The court found the eviction from the CKGR to be "unlawful and unconstitutional," with one judge stating that the rules prohibiting hunting, farming and livestock were "condeming the residents of the CKGR to death by starvation." The government has stated that it does not intend to appeal and claims it has begun implementing the decision. Since the judgment, however, at least 48 people have been arrested for hunting. The country had been criticised by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination for its treatment of indigenous and minority groups.

A large number of Zimbabweans also live in Botswana, many of them residing illegally and working to earn stronger currency to send back to relatives. In 2006 over 3,000 Zimbabweans were repatriated each month. The government has built a series of electric fences along the border, at least in part, to deter migrants. Round ups, road blocks and identity checks are not uncommon.
The Environment in Botswana

Baobab tree, Nata, Botswana © Kristi Kenyon

Classified as semi-arid, the Kalahari desert occupies 77% of Botswana's land mass leaving the country with limited supplies of fresh water, infrequent rain, and drought as its most frequent natural disaster. The value of this scarce resource is evident in the naming of the currency, pula (rain).

Intense rainfall, when it occurs, can result in environmental and public health problems. In early 2006, heavy rainfall caused flooding, damaged the structural integrity of a water reservoir in the south of the country and was linked to a diarrhoea outbreak which led to the death of more than 65 children.

Electricity is imported from Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa as well as locally supplied from a coal-fired power station which produces carbon dioxide and sulphur emissions. Local environmental organizations focus on waste reduction and management, sustainable harvesting, recycling and environmentally-friendly income generation projects, among others. Other environmental concerns include the impact of veterinary cordon fences on the migration routes of indigenous animals, and the threatened extinction of some native plant species due to over harvesting, including the Kalahari Devil's Claw.
The Economy in Botswana

Giraffe, Botswana © Kristi Kenyon

Botswana has a diamond-driven economy with diamonds providing up to 70%-80% of the country's export income and more than one third of GDP. The country does not, however, cut, polish or refine diamonds for the retail market denying Botswana the opportunity to develop a skilled labour force in this area, and increase its financial benefit from its leading natural resource. In addition to diamonds, the country also exports copper, nickel and soda ash, as well as some agricultural products.

Despite mineral wealth, estimates place unemployment at as high as 40%, considerably higher than official statistics. Tourism, subsistence farming financial services and cattle raising are other important elements of the economy. With the exception of meat, most food products are imported. The vast majority of commercial goods and food products are imported, primarily from South Africa.

© Cynthia Lee

Kristi Kenyon is a doctoral student based in British Columbia, Canada. She spent two years in Botswana working on issues pertaining to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Prior to working in the area of HIV/AIDS, Kristi worked with local and international organisations on human rights in Southeast Asia. She holds an MA in the theory and practice of human rights.
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