PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS AND JUSTICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN GABORONE, BOTSWANA

The Botswana Council for the Disabled (BCD) is driving a nationwide effort to promote human rights and improve access to justice for people with disabilities. The campaign spans 10 districts, and Gaborone marks the ninth district reached—leaving only Gumare District still to be covered. While this milestone reflects significant progress, the work is far from over. Additional activities and engagements will continue across the districts to sustain momentum and deepen impact.

Over the course of a dynamic three-day program in Gaborone, BCD led a series of events designed to raise awareness, build partnerships, and advance inclusive practices. The program featured a Human Rights Stakeholders Engagement Workshop, a traditional Kgotla meeting, and a public Mall Activation—each targeting the structural and social barriers that people with disabilities face daily.

The Stakeholders Workshop brought together key players from government, civil society, and the community to align efforts and strategize around improving access to services, legal protection, education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

The Kgotla meeting, a culturally significant community gathering, offered a platform for residents to voice personal experiences and challenges. It fostered honest dialogue and emphasized the importance of local ownership in tackling inequality.

The Mall Activation extended the conversation to the broader public, using interactive booths and educational materials to challenge stigma and promote inclusive values in everyday spaces.

While district outreach is a core component of BCD’s strategy, it is not the end goal. Long-term change requires continued engagement, policy follow-through, and community-driven action. As the initiative moves toward Gumare and beyond, BCD remains committed to ensuring that people with disabilities across Botswana are not only recognized but empowered.

This is not just a campaign—it’s a sustained movement for justice, equality, and dignity. And it’s just getting started.

Ministry of Youth And Gender Affairs, Botswana.