In a significant step towards addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the Botswana Police Service (BPS) and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) have commenced a three-day “Training of Trainers” workshop in Gaborone. The training, which began on April 1, 2025, is organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to enhance the capacity of law enforcement officers in handling GBV cases effectively.
Commissioner of Police, Dinah Marathe, highlighted the alarming prevalence of GBV and the necessity for continuous capacity-building among officers to improve response mechanisms, investigations, and case prosecutions. She underscored the crucial role of police officers as the first point of contact in the criminal justice system, responsible for receiving reports, collecting evidence, making arrests, and submitting cases to the DPP. Given this responsibility, she emphasized that proper training is essential for the efficient execution of these duties.
Commissioner Marathe expressed gratitude to UNODC for its ongoing support, acknowledging the importance of multi-sectoral training initiatives in strengthening case referrals and streamlining case management. She also recognized past contributions from partners such as UNICEF, SADC, and the EU, which have led to the establishment of Child-Friendly Centres and the development of Standard Operating Procedures. Additionally, she stated that such training programs would contribute to the development of a localized multi-sectoral training framework within the BPS.
Reaffirming the BPS’s commitment to protecting victims, Commissioner Marathe stressed the importance of confidentiality and victim-friendly spaces to minimize re-traumatization and re-victimization.
Dr. Linda Naidoo, National Project Coordinator for the UNODC GBV Project in South Africa, pledged continued support in ensuring that law enforcement officers are equipped with the necessary skills to engage professionally with GBV victims, emphasizing a victim-centred approach in legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms. Nomsa Moatswi, acknowledged the challenges faced by the DPP, including case withdrawals, victims’ reluctance to report, and failure to follow court procedures. To address these issues, she noted that a strict policy has been implemented, preventing the withdrawal of certain cases, including GBV-related matters, without the complainant’s written consent.
The three-day workshop marks a crucial milestone in Botswana’s fight against GBV, focusing on equipping law enforcement officers and prosecutors with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle cases with professionalism, sensitivity, and efficiency.
