Ditshwanelo

Our Activism & Information Programme has as its ultimate aim the development of a human rights culture in Botswana.

We seek to achieve this through advocating for and engaging with the government to achieve changes in law, government policy and practice, including by supporting occasional test cases. We also focus on raising the public’s awareness of their rights and responsibilities and of rights violations in Botswana. Our public education work ranges from press coverage to local workshops run by our Outreach Programme, to the publication of booklets for the public, including a series of ‘Know your Law’ guides to common legal issues.

We also seek to raise awareness of and support for regional human rights issues, such as the current situation in Zimbabwe.

DITSHWANELO acts as a human rights watchdog for Botswana and also regionally and across Africa.

Although taking a comprehensive approach to human rights, DITSHWANELO particularly focuses on issues less supported by other organisations in Botswana. These are currently:

Constitutional reform: A Constitution is the basis of all human rights and there are many rights which are not guaranteed by Botswana’s Constitution – including the right to education, as demonstrated by the re-introduction of school fees in 2006. In reforming the Constitution, we would seek decriminalisation of homosexuality, recognition of Botswana’s indigenous peoples and many other issues.
A consistent rights-based approach to development in Botswana
Abolition of the death penalty – as the right to life is a fundamental human right.
Introduction of a legal aid system