Protecting Children & Young people
Asylum-seeking and refugee children and young people may be at increased risk of abuse, neglect, violence such as sexual violence, domestic violence, and inter-personal violence, exploitation, including children engaged in the worst forms of child labour, including slavery, forced labour and/or any dangerous work that deters child development, prostitution and pornography, illegal activities such as drug trafficking and human trafficking.
If you are worried about or are a victim of a dangerous situation at home, in school or in the community, be it for yourself or a family member or a community member, you can contact:
- The Botswana Police Station in the camp on 2977222 or 999 (Toll-Free)
- UNHCR partners’ offices Skillshare International Botswana at +267 395 2284 or +267 74782821 or the MoJ office located in the camp at +267 2977281
If you are concerned for the wellbeing of a child, please report it to UNHCR and its child protection partners, Skillshare International and Learn to Play, the police station, the MoJ office, or the local clinic in Dukwi camp.
You can also contact the below organizations that support the government’s efforts to protect children in Botswana.
Activities for Children & Young People
There is a youth-friendly centre located at Skillshare within the camp that is accessible every day (Monday-Friday) from 8:00 to 16:00 hrs.
The centre is intended for young people and children and provides a safe space to learn through playing educational games after school and during school holidays.
Services offered:
- Strengthening institutions to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children through education and training
- Prevention of violence against children by equipping parents and caregivers with skills in positive parenting to increase their awareness of child protection issues.
- Engage with communities, traditional and religious leaders, including women, to reduce negative attitudes, harmful cultural practices and traditions that perpetuate sexual exploitation and abuse against children.
Contact them:
- Address: Plot 27, Dalale House, Matsitama Road, Gaborone
- Tel: 267 395 1909
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit their website for more information
Services offered:
- Provides emergency services for all children in need.
- Helps parents/caregivers who are experiencing difficulties with their children, who may have abused them or fear they will abuse them.
- Helps parents/adults who may have been abused themselves as children.
- Offers concerned persons an opportunity to report cases of suspected child abuse.
- Educates the public on child abuse and children’s rights.
- Lobbies and advocates for children’s rights.
Contact them:
- Address: Gaborone International Commerce Park Plot 49, Unit 3 Gaborone, Botswana
- Tel: 267 393 4501/ 390 0900
- Helpline: 116
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit their website for more information
Services offered:
- Provides alternative care for children who can no longer live with their parents
- Helps strengthen families experiencing crises or extreme hardships that hinder them from caring adequately for their children
- Offers safeguarding programmes for children
- Advocates for children’s rights
Contact them:
Head Office
- Plot 5506, Motshwaratsela Close Partial, Gaborone
- Tel/Fax: 3953220
Francistown SOS Village
- Address: Plot 16075, Marang Road, Francistown
- Tel /Fax: 2406010
Serowe SOS Village
- Address: Plot 2998 Mannathoko Ward, Serowe
- Tel/Fax: 4630919
For any emergencies, please call:
- Ambulance 997 (Toll Free)
- Dukwi Police 999 (Toll Free) you will be linked to the Dukwi camp police
- Fire Brigade 998 (Toll Free)
- Medical Rescue 911 (Toll Free)
- Medical Air Rescue 390-1601
- Mascom 122
- Orange 112
- Be Mobile 1333
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Related information:
Botswana signed and ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989 and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child in 2001.
In addition, domestic policies and initiatives have been taken to better protect children, including the 2009 Children’s Act and National Plan of Action for orphans and with specific needs children, including asylum seekers and refugee children. These acts guide interventions targeting children across Ministries in Botswana.