Botswana Records Grim Gender-Based Violence Statistics

Gaborone, Botswana — Despite efforts by Botswanan authorities to combat gender-based violence, nearly 100 women were raped and 10 murdered during the late-December festive season, officials said Tuesday.

Botswana Police Service Commissioner Dinah Marathe told reporters that 10 of the 25 murders recorded between Dec. 19 and Jan. 2 were related to gender-based violence. During the same period, 93 rapes were reported.

Of all reported crimes, she said, 61% were related to gender-based violence.