Poverty in Botswana

Child care, Botswana © Kristi Kenyon

Botswana “still has a considerable way to go” to fulfil all of its commitments to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), according to a 2008 IMF report. This is despite its status as a middle income country, often praised for political stability and economic performance. Two very different problems impede progress. Firstly, the rewards of economic growth have been poorly distributed, to the extent that Botswana is the fifth most unequal country in the world, assessed by the Gini coefficient measure. Secondly, the country has experienced exceptionally high HIV prevalence which, despite a determined political response, has had a devastating impact on poorer households.

The MDG programme is superimposed on Botswana’s own long term Vision 2016, thereby creating targets which are tougher than the MDGs. For example, it is very unlikely that Botswana will eliminate extreme poverty by 2016. The rate has fallen from 47% in 1994, the baseline year for the MDGs, but only as far as 30%, according to a 2008 OECD country review. The most positive area for the MDGs is in education where primary enrolment is close to 90%, with parity between boys and girls. Adult literacy is over 80%.

Botswana’s diamond resources are projected to decline from 2020. Currently diamonds provide 70%-80% of export income and more than one third of GDP. However, the country has only recently attempted to build capacity to cut, polish or refine diamonds in order to add value to its leading natural resource. There is widespread underemployment, especially amongst young people.
Health and HIV/AIDS in Botswana

Child, infant and maternal mortality rates have all increased since their baseline year of 1991, almost certainly ruling out any prospect of attaining the MDGs, especially as the deadline has been brought forward to 2011. The major contributory factor is HIV/AIDS which overshadows all of the country's development indicators. The incidence of the virus in pregnant women is almost a third whilst a broader measure of prevalence is 17.1%. Updated surveys were due in 2008 and the consensus is that prevalence is falling from these very high levels.

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

Setting the ambitious goal of a zero rate of new infections by 2016, 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 counselling 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. By the end of 2007 83% of those who needed ARVs were receiving them free of charge and the rate of mother-to-child infection had dropped dramatically from 40% to 4%. However, with the numbers receiving treatment projected to continue rising sharply, the president has publicly questioned the sustainability of the programme.

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.
Food Security and Climate Change in Botswana

Urban dairy farming, Gaborone, 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).

Botswana is therefore unable to grow sufficient food to meet its needs. This arid terrain is aggravated by climate change such that, by the government’s own figures, food production has fallen in each of the last five years. The most recent harvests were 30% below yields in 2000. The increasing dependency on food imports imposes higher prices which in turn impact particularly on the poorest households. The government is seeking to improve domestic productivity by encouraging small farmers to form collectives, offering incentives of free or subsidised seeds, fertiliser and new water boreholes.

Electricity is imported from Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa but the government plans to reduce this dependency by constructing a major coal-fired power station, taking advantage of local coal reserves.

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