National Relationships Study

Brief Description

To inform appropriate programming for gender-based violence (GBV) Prevention and response, the Government of Botswana and civil society partners, conducted a National Relationships Study in 2018 that revealed the status of GBV in Botswana and provided concrete recommendations for the implementation. The study shows that GBV remains high in Botswana. Thirty seven % of the women interviewed reported experiencing GBV at least once in their lifetime (emotional, physical and sexual) including partner and non-partner violence. Nearly 30% of women reported experiencing violence over the last year. The study also reveals that a third (30%) of men reported perpetrating GBV in their lifetime. The indicators in this study sought to measure:
i. The extent of violence against women as perpetrated by men and vice versa;
ii. The social and economic effects of GBV for women and men; 
iii. Prevention interventions that underscore the importance of a paradigm shift towards prevention rather than focus primarily on response.
The Botswana Government requested an increase of the sample size to a more representative national sample that could be disaggregated by districts. The Relationship Study measured the extent, risk factors, determinants, and effects of GBV. Current GBV responses with implications for prevention, treatment, care, support and recovery interventions were also explored. The study covered all the 16 districts of Botswana. The findings from the research will inform and strengthen national, district and local level strategies to end GBV.