The Botswana Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted (BABPS), in partnership with Synskadades Riksförbund (SRF), has successfully concluded an extensive community outreach and human rights awareness campaign across the Tutume District and surrounding areas.

As part of its commitment to promoting disability rights and inclusion at grassroots level, BABPS adopted a decentralized approach by taking its advocacy efforts directly to communities through a multi-village Kgotla Engagement Tour. This approach enabled meaningful interaction with local stakeholders and residents in their own communities, ensuring broader participation and impact.

The campaign reached ten villages, namely Maitengwe, Nshakashokwe, Goshwe, Sebina, Nswazwi, Matobo, Changate, Dagwi, Senete, and Nkange.

Strengthening Community Partnerships

Each morning and afternoon Kgotla session facilitated open and constructive dialogue among a diverse network of stakeholders. Participants included traditional and local leadership structures such as Dikgosi, Village Development Committees (VDCs), and Village Extension Teams, as well as public safety and health officials, including local police officers, district social workers, and clinic medical staff. Spiritual leaders, particularly local pastors, also played an important role in the discussions. Community members, family caregivers, and persons with various disabilities actively participated, ensuring that the conversations reflected the experiences and needs of those directly affected.

Key Areas of Focus

Throughout the campaign, participants engaged in discussions centered on disability rights, inclusion, and community empowerment. Key topics included:

Understanding the Persons with Disability Act

Community members were educated on the rights, protections, and inclusion provisions contained in the Persons with Disability Act, with emphasis on promoting awareness and accountability at the local level.

Breaking Down Barriers

The outreach sessions addressed social stigma and discrimination while exploring practical strategies for removing physical, communication, and attitudinal barriers that continue to affect persons with visual impairments and other disabilities.

Building Inclusive Communities

Stakeholders were equipped with knowledge and practical tools to create supportive environments that enable persons with disabilities to participate fully in education, employment, community development, and social life.

A Collective Commitment to Inclusion

The success of the campaign demonstrates the power of collaboration between communities, traditional leadership, government structures, civil society, and development partners. Through open dialogue and shared responsibility, communities are becoming better equipped to promote dignity, accessibility, and equal opportunities for all.

The BABPS Executive Committee extends its sincere appreciation to the Dikgosi, public officers, spiritual leaders, community members, and all stakeholders across the North East and Tutume regions for their warm hospitality, active participation, and unwavering commitment to building a more inclusive and barrier-free Botswana.

Together, we continue advancing the rights, empowerment, and full participation of persons with disabilities in every community.

On 4 June 2026, the Botswana Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted (BABPS) held a community awareness engagement at Magotlhwane Kgotla aimed at promoting disability rights, inclusion, and blindness awareness within the local community.

The meeting brought together persons with disabilities, caregivers, community members, and local leadership to engage in meaningful dialogue on the rights of persons with disabilities as outlined in national legislation and international human rights frameworks. Key discussions focused on the importance of accessibility, equal opportunities, dignity, and strong community support in building an inclusive society where persons with disabilities can participate fully and independently in all aspects of life.

A key highlight of the engagement was the distribution of white canes to selected beneficiaries, an initiative designed to enhance independent mobility, safety, and confidence among persons who are blind or partially sighted. Participants also received information on available support services and the important role that communities play in empowering and including persons with disabilities.

The engagement served as an important platform for dialogue, awareness-raising, and community education, reinforcing BABPS’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that disability rights information reaches communities across Botswana.

BABPS extends its sincere appreciation to the leadership and residents of Magotlhwane for their warm reception, active participation, and continued support in advancing disability inclusion.

The Botswana Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted (BABPS) recently hosted a member engagement session aimed at strengthening understanding of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2024, and empowering members with knowledge of their rights and protections under the law.

The engagement provided an important platform for members to gain deeper insight into the provisions of the Act and its significance in promoting inclusion, accessibility, equality, and the full participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society. Discussions focused on how the legislation can be effectively used to advance disability rights and address the barriers that continue to impact persons with disabilities in their daily lives.

The session also encouraged active participation, allowing members to share lived experiences, raise questions, and reflect on challenges affecting their communities. These exchanges offered valuable insights and reinforced the importance of ongoing advocacy, awareness creation, and collaboration in ensuring the effective implementation of the Act.

Through such engagements, BABPS continues to strengthen the capacity of its members to understand, claim, and advocate for their rights, while actively contributing to the creation of a more inclusive and accessible Botswana for all persons with disabilities.