The viability of the welfare state in Botswana

Botlhale, Emmanuel; Molokwane, Thekiso

doi:10.1080/02589001.2019.1697433

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 19 publications

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“…Officers highlighted a lack of coordination between Botswana’s many social protection programs and with supporting services like land and water boards. These findings align with the 2013 World Bank Report on social protection in Botswana [ 61 ] and more recent studies that call for improved coordination between programs to reduce overlap, duplication and fragmentation of social protection programs [ 52 , 77 ]. A more holistic and client-centered approach might lead to better outcomes and more effective and efficient use of resources [ 78 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

HIV-sensitive social protection for unemployed and out-of-school young women in Botswana: An exploratory study of barriers and solutions

van der Wal,

Cockcroft,

Kobo

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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Promotive social protection programs aim to increase income and capabilities and could help address structural drivers of HIV-vulnerability like poverty, lack of education and gender inequality. Unemployed and out-of-school young women bear the brunt of HIV infection in Botswana, but rarely benefit from such economic empowerment programs. Using a qualitative exploratory study design and a participatory research approach, we explored factors affecting perceived program benefit and potential solutions to barriers. Direct stakeholders (n = 146) included 87 unemployed and out-of-school young women and 59 program and technical officers in five intervention districts. Perceived barriers were identified in 20 semi-structured interviews (one intervention district) and 11 fuzzy cognitive maps. Co-constructed improvement recommendations were generated in deliberative dialogues. Analysis relied on Framework and the socioecological model. Overall, participants viewed existing programs in Botswana as ineffective and inadequate to empower vulnerable young women socially or economically. Factors affecting perceived program benefit related to programs, program officers, the young women, and their social and structural environment. Participants perceived barriers at every socioecological level. Young women’s lack of life and job skills, unhelpful attitudes, and irresponsible behaviors were personal-level barriers. At an interpersonal level, competing care responsibilities, lack of support from boyfriends and family, and negative peer influence impeded program benefit. Traditional venues for information dissemination, poverty, inequitable gender norms, and lack of coordination were community- and structural-level barriers. Improvement recommendations focused on improved outreach and peer approaches to implement potential solutions. Unemployed and out-of-school young women face multidimensional, interacting barriers that prevent benefit from available promotive social protection programs in Botswana. To become HIV-sensitive, these socioeconomic empowerment programs would need to accommodate or preferentially attract this key population. This requires more generous and comprehensive programs, a more client-centered program delivery, and improved coordination. Such structural changes require a holistic, intersectoral approach to HIV-sensitive social protection.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

HIV-sensitive social protection for unemployed and out-of-school young women in Botswana: An exploratory study of barriers and solutions

van der Wal,

Cockcroft,

Kobo

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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The viability of the welfare state in Botswana: a Gramscian response to Botlhale and Molokwane

Lotshwao

2024

Journal of Contemporary African Studies

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Africa’s Miracle? Assessing Political Stability in Botswana

Nehrbass

2020

Afr. Rev.

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Botswana has defied typical predictions scholars assign to countries that are wholly dependent on natural resources. Indeed, the country has succeeded in maintaining control of its natural wealth in diamonds, while effectively using this financial boon to establish a stable society. But how did Botswana succeed where so many other resource-rich African states have failed? I argue that the most prominent factors in Botswana’s success were astute leadership capable of garnering legitimacy through strategic economic and social management; Botswana’s ethnic homogeneity and the effective construction of a national identity; as well as the overall growth in standards of living promoted by the government’s sound financial and economic decisions. Despite identifying these accomplishments, I will introduce several looming concerns for Botswana’s political situation – including the country’s high unemployment rate, over-dependence on diamonds, as well as foreign policy dynamics that could provoke tumult in the nation. In the end, this paper should provide a snapshot of Botswana’s trajectory, and the elements that contributed to its impressively peaceful political climate, as well as a note of caution regarding possible dangers on the horizon.

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The viability of the welfare state in Botswana

Cited by 3 publications

References 19 publications

HIV-sensitive social protection for unemployed and out-of-school young women in Botswana: An exploratory study of barriers and solutions

HIV-sensitive social protection for unemployed and out-of-school young women in Botswana: An exploratory study of barriers and solutions

The viability of the welfare state in Botswana: a Gramscian response to Botlhale and Molokwane

Africa’s Miracle? Assessing Political Stability in Botswana

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