On this page, you will find:
Legal Framework
While there is no law in Botswana that explicitly criminalises same-sex sexual activity, the Penal Code outlines the following offences linked to so-called ‘unnatural’ and ‘indecent’ practices:
Section 164. Unnatural offences. Any person who-
(a) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature; [or][…]
(c) permits any other person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature,
is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years.
Section 165. Attempts to commit unnatural offences. Any person who attempts to commit any of the offences specified in Section 164 is guilty of an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.
Section 167. Indecent practices between persons. Any person who, whether in public or private, commits any act of gross indecency with another person, or procures another person to commit any act of gross indecency with him or her, or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any person with himself or herself or with another person, whether in public or private, is guilty of an offence.
The Employment Act 2010 has prohibited employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
For more detailed information on the protection of LGBTQI+ rights in Botswana, visit the Botswana ILGA World Database.
Homosexuality is a taboo subject in Botswana and this is generally reflected in the attitudes of officials and within society. People rarely make public declarations of being homosexual.
In February 2011, the deputy speaker of the Botswana National Assembly, Pono Moatlhodi, aligned himself with President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe in describing homosexuals as ‘western dogs’. He went on to express that if he had the power, he would ‘have gay people killed’.
In the same year, Botswana’s ex-president, Festus Mogae, called for the decriminalisation of homosexuality and prostitution to aid the fight against HIV infection. His opinion was not endorsed by the government, but Festus Mogae renewed his efforts in 2013 by joining forces with AIDS-Free World.
Kanane v. State 1995 BLR 94 (High Court)
Botwana case of a man accused of engaging in illegalised homosexual intercourse with another man.
Molathwa v. Ashcroft, 390 F.3d 551 (8th Cir. 2004)
U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals 2004: The petition for judicial review of his asylum decision is denied because the applicant is judged to have failed to prove that he suffered persecution in Botswana or that he had a well-founded fear of future persecution
Organisations supporting LGBTQI+ individuals
LEGABIBO is an LGBTI organisation doing advocacy at national, regional and international levels. LEGABIBO is a national registered NGO, founded in 1998 with the purpose of defending the human rights of LGBTI in Botswana. In 2016 LEGABIBO won a protracted case in the Court of Appeal, and subsequently legally registered as a LGBTIQ+ organisation. At the heart of its operation is the aim to connect and amplify change in the social field, legal and systems and services.
Fax: +267 3907778
Ditshwanelo is the only organisation in Botswana that deals with human rights and works to advocate for changes in law, policies and practices, and to raise public awareness of rights and responsibilities. Ditshwanelo focuses on gender equality or the rights of those affected by HIV/AIDS, and provides paralegal services to those earning less than minimum wage.
Country of Origin experts in LGBTQI+ rights
We do not currently have any specialists on LGBTQI+ issues in Botswana, but we welcome suggestions.
Botswana Legal Assistance
Find organisations providing legal assistance to refugees in Botswana.
Botswana COI
Find Botswana Country of Origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents.
We are always looking to expand the resources on our platform. If you know about relevant resources, or you are aware of organisations and/or individuals to include in our directories, please get in touch.
Last updated May 2023