The Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs, in partnership with Total Man and Legal Aid Botswana, hosted a Justice Walk in Molepolole on Friday as part of efforts to address gender-based violence and improve access to justice within communities. The event brought together community members, government representatives and organisations working to strengthen support systems for people affected by abuse and other forms of violence. Held under the theme “Mobilizing and Capacitating Stakeholders”, the Justice Walk created an opportunity for residents to discuss challenges affecting families and communities. The programme culminated in community engagement and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Total Man and Legal Aid Botswana. The partnership is expected to strengthen cooperation between the two organisations while supporting efforts to ensure that people understand their rights and know where to seek assistance.
The Justice Walk focused on the growing concern over gender-based violence in Molepolole and the need for communities to play a stronger role in preventing abuse. Participants were given an opportunity to learn about practical ways to respond to cases of violence and how victims and affected families can access appropriate support. The initiative also highlighted the importance of providing accurate information about legal options to people who may not know where to turn when they experience abuse. Community-based mechanisms remain important because many cases of violence occur within homes and families, making local awareness and early intervention essential. By bringing stakeholders together, the event aimed to strengthen cooperation between community structures and organisations responsible for providing legal and social support.
Total Man President Mr Reginald Katlego Setlhora said the organisation remains committed to ending abuse and restoring peace in Molepolole. He called on residents to work together in raising children and addressing problems that can contribute to violence within families. Among the issues he identified were inheritance conflicts and jealousy between family members, which can create tension and contribute to disputes that sometimes escalate into abuse. Setlhora stressed the importance of identifying the underlying causes of violence rather than only responding after incidents have occurred. He also appealed to Legal Aid Botswana to assist with mapping the causes and effects of abuse and helping villagers understand where they can obtain assistance when they face legal or family-related challenges.
The call for stronger legal support was addressed by Legal Aid Botswana CEO Ms Keona Mphetlhe, who explained the organisation’s role in providing legal education and assistance to communities. Legal Aid Botswana provides support in areas that include inheritance matters, labour disputes, contracts and child welfare, making its services important to families dealing with a range of legal challenges. Mphetlhe explained that budget constraints currently prevent the organisation from opening a new office in Molepolole, despite the need for accessible legal services in the area. She encouraged residents to make use of community social workers who can assist by filing and submitting cases to the Legal Aid office in Gaborone on their behalf. This approach can help residents access legal assistance without having to navigate the process entirely on their own.
The discussion around access to justice also highlighted the challenges faced by people living far from legal service centres. When residents lack information about their rights or do not know where to report cases, problems can remain unresolved for long periods. Community social workers can play an important role by connecting residents with the relevant institutions and helping vulnerable individuals understand the steps they need to take. Stronger communication between communities, social workers, Legal Aid Botswana and other stakeholders can also help ensure that cases receive appropriate attention. The Justice Walk therefore served not only as an awareness initiative but also as a platform for identifying practical ways to improve access to services.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Total Man and Legal Aid Botswana marked an important step in formalising cooperation between the two organisations. Partnerships of this nature can help organisations combine their resources, knowledge and community networks when addressing complex social challenges. Gender-based violence requires a coordinated response because victims may need legal advice, social support, protection and assistance from different institutions. Strengthening cooperation can make it easier for community members to understand the services available to them and how those services can be accessed. The agreement also provides a foundation for continued engagement between Total Man and Legal Aid Botswana as they work towards addressing issues affecting families and communities in Molepolole.
Area Councilor Hon. Odirile Kenna called for immediate action on outstanding cases raised by community members during the engagement. The call reflects the importance of ensuring that community consultations lead to practical action rather than ending with discussions alone. Residents who raise concerns about abuse, family disputes or access to justice need to know that their concerns are being followed up by the relevant authorities and organisations. Timely intervention can help prevent disputes from escalating and can give victims greater confidence in the support systems available to them. Kenna also thanked the stakeholders involved for their commitment to justice and for taking the concerns of Molepolole residents seriously.
The Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to working with partners to strengthen access to information, protection and justice for communities across Botswana. The Justice Walk in Molepolole demonstrated the value of bringing government, civil society organisations, legal service providers and residents together to address gender-based violence at community level. Tackling abuse requires more than responding to individual cases because communities also need education, prevention programmes and reliable support networks. The engagement provided an opportunity to identify challenges while encouraging residents to take part in finding solutions that can protect families and vulnerable members of society. As the partnership between Total Man and Legal Aid Botswana develops, continued community engagement could help ensure that more residents of Molepolole understand their rights and have clearer pathways to legal assistance and protection.
