MenEngage Africa and MenEngage Botswana welcome Botswana’s formal repeal of discriminatory legal provisions that criminalised same-sex relationships, marking an important step towards advancing human rights, dignity, inclusion, and social justice in the country.
The Government of Botswana published amendments to the Penal Code removing references to so-called “unnatural offences”, provisions that had previously criminalised same-sex intimacy with penalties of up to seven years’ imprisonment. The repeal follows the landmark 2019 High Court ruling, later upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2021, which found the provisions unconstitutional and inconsistent with the rights and freedoms guaranteed to all.
“As MenEngage Botswana, we welcome this important step towards justice and equality. Although this is progress, the work continues. We remain committed to engaging communities and advancing acceptance, dignity, and inclusion for all,” said Ronald Ntebela, MenEngage Botswana chairperson.
MenEngage Africa and MenEngage Botswana recognise this development as a significant victory for equality, bodily autonomy, and the protection of human rights across the region.
“We urge other countries in the region to act with similar urgency by reviewing and repealing laws that punish people for consensual relationships and for simply existing. No one should face arrest, stigma, or violence under the law for who they are or whom they love. Everyone deserves dignity, safety, and equal protection,” said Josephine Mukwendi, Sonke’s Regional Programmes Specialist.
This is a hard-earned victory and the efforts of CSOs, human rights defenders, and activists whose advocacy has yielded these results. MenEngage Africa and MenEngage Botswana hopes that other African countries will follow suit and repeal laws that are designed to discriminate and violate the rights and dignity of marginalised populations.
ENDS/
Issued by MenEngage Africa
For media enquiries, contact:
Amukelani Chauke, Communications & Social Media Coordinator, Sonke Gender Justice, at amu@genderjustice.org.za or +27 74 857 4254
Note to editors
MenEngage Africa is part of a global alliance of organisations that engage men and boys to achieve gender equality, promote health, reduce violence and question and address the structural barriers to achieving gender equality. The alliance consists of 23 country networks spread across East, West, Central, and Southern Africa. MEA members work collectively toward advancing gender justice, human rights, and social justice in key thematic areas, including Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), gender-based violence (GBV) and HIV prevention, Child Rights and Positive Parenting, and promoting peace on the continent.
