The Perfidy and Ramifications of Gender Based Violence (GBV) Meted Against Women and the Girl Children in Botswana. A Literature Review

Abstract

Total annihilation of the phenomenon of gender based violence in Botswana would be a panacea that will help effectuate a paradigm shift towards a state of gender equality and equity, a significant score to the achievement and attainment of Millennium Development Goal number three in Botswana. This article has underpinned some factors that have been responsible for the phenomenon of gender based violence in Botswana. The article has adopted a review of literature methodology. Findings have identified the following as causative factors of gender based violence: misinterpretations of religious sacred literature and doctrines; cultural practices; inadequate institutional and legal infrastructure to face GBV; underreporting of GBV cases; and women’s poverty. The article has recommended embracing and observing international, regional and national gender instruments and Mainstreaming Gender in social and public institutions as possible factors that can help in surmounting or extinguishing the state of gender based violence.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p1563