First Lady of Botswana, Mrs Kaone Boko, demonstrated her commitment to strengthening the national response to gender-based violence (GBV) last week by directing P300,000 from the GBV Fund toward the establishment of a new GBV One-Stop Service Centre.
The contribution supports efforts to create integrated services where survivors can access essential assistance in a single location, reducing the administrative and emotional burden of navigating multiple institutions. This initiative aligns with Botswana’s ongoing transition toward a more coordinated, survivor-centred model that brings together medical care, legal assistance, counselling, and psychosocial support.
Emphasizing inclusivity, the First Lady’s contribution recognizes that violence affects women, children, and men alike, requiring a comprehensive response that leaves no survivor behind. This approach mirrors the inclusive framework already championed by organizations such as Botswana’s Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support Centre.
Reflecting on the donation, Mrs Boko noted that the funds were intended to provide vital financial backing while encouraging wider participation in building a robust national response. “To reaffirm our shared commitment to the protection and upliftment of children, men and women, we donated P300,000 from the GBV Fund towards the One Stop Service Centre,” she stated.
The initiative also received international solidarity from the First Lady of Mozambique, Mrs Gueta Selemane Chapo, who contributed US$3,000 to the project. Mrs Boko expressed hope that these contributions would inspire other stakeholders to take concrete steps toward establishing similar centres across the country.
The Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs has praised the One-Stop model as a vital mechanism to bridge the gap between reporting violence and securing justice. By engaging communities, government institutions, civil society, and development partners, the initiative reinforces the message that eliminating GBV is a collective societal responsibility requiring active prevention, protection, and accountability.
