03 Feb 2026

In general fulfilling children’s rights to protection from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation requires coordination amongst different sectors and authorities. And, every child is entitled to decisions and safeguards that prioritise their best interest.
The remarks were made by the Ombudsman, Advocate Stephen Tiroyakgosi when responding to some concerns during a recent meet and greet with stakeholders in Maun.
He expressed concern over  the violations  of children’s fundamental rights , urging that the principle of the best interest of the child must take precedence.
This principle, he said compelled public and private entities, courts of law, administrativeauthorities an d all actions that affected them.
He said it was even more worrying that despite child rights instruments in place, children continue to face a lot of challenges citing violation of the right to education, lack of special schools and a high rate of abuse and neglect of children.
Stakeholders expressed concern that the current situation exposes children to unruly behavior, sexual abuse, and exploitation due to a lack of parental care and guidance.
Ms Peggy Ramaphane, Executive Director of Women Against Rape, emphasised the rampant abuse issues faced by women and girls in the North West district. She praised the Office of the Ombudsman for its initiative, the ‘North West Human Rights Lecture Series,’ which aims to strengthen accountability and foster a culture of human rights in the region.
“Our district is central to tourism, yet many parents spend extended periods in the delta, leaving their children unsupervised and vulnerable to abuse and neglect,” she remarked.
“What actions can the office take to improve the work environment in the tourism industry to support families?”
She raised alarm over the fact that some children are left to care for their siblings without parental guidance, leading to an increase in cases of defilement, teenage pregnancy, and school dropouts as parents are frequently away.
Ms Ramaphane also highlighted the poor state of school facilities across the district, noting that children often attend classes under trees and lack adequate sanitation facilities, forcing them to relieve themselves outdoors.
She underlined the urgency of addressing children’s rights to education and called for initiatives to promote and respect these rights, enabling children to effectively claim them.
Ms Lesley McNutt, Director of Wild Entrust and Coaching Conservation, stated that violations of children’s rights are prevalent despite existing rights protections. She pointed out that the condition of school facilities is subpar, negatively impacting student performance due to an unsuitable learning environment.
She concurred on the need to tackle children’s rights issues, noting that several organizations are willing to assist in rectifying the situation.
“Achieving these rights requires collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to overcome the challenges,” she added.
Despite rampant violations, Advocate Tiroyakgosi noted that efforts are being made to promote and protect children’s rights.
 He mentioned an enhanced mandate to investigate human rights violations across all economic sectors.
The attendees also learned about the Ombudsman’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, which emphasizes enhancing public service accountability, improving complaint resolution, and streamlining administrative justice.
He pointed out that the constitution, along with commitments to international child rights instruments, offers a solid legal framework for ensuring children’s protection and welfare.
Furthermore, he referenced Namibia’s exemplary Children’s Advocate plan, which investigates rights violations, monitors the implementation of the Children’s Act, and other related laws.
He expressed a desire for Botswana to adopt such a system, stating, ‘our schools are in dire condition nationwide, and several of our systems are failing our children. We must act collectively as stakeholders and create a platform to address children’s issues.” ENDS