Covid-19 exacerbates sexual violence on children

Botswana has recorded an increase of rape cases of children from 474 to 734 with the youngest victim being a two-year-old, defilement cases increased from 1 825 to 2 033, while violence cases grew from 134 to 238 at the height of Covid-19.

According to a recently released report by UNICEF, measures implemented by governments across the world to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted children, and their families, creating a crisis that is unprecedented in its scale and scope. The report states that at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020-2021, Botswana experienced a surge in cases of violence against children, especially sexual violence. “Covid-19 exacerbated pre-existing challenges. It is very clear that some of the abuse is perpetuated in homes, a place where children should be safe,” said UNICEF Representative, Dr. Joan Matji.

“Some of the measures put in place to halt the spread of Covid-19, such as lockdowns and school closure, disrupted the children’s routine as well as their social support. Some children were left unattended for lengthy periods of time, making them more vulnerable to all forms of abuse,” she added. According to the report, access to health services was equally affected, with the routine immunisation rate for children under one year dropping from 90 per cent to 47.5 per cent for all antigens for the same age group in 2021.

“Covid-19 put a considerable strain on the health system, necessitating prioritisation now to focus on continuity of essential and routine services such as ASRH and HIV services and building a more resilient system,” said Dr. Matji.

The pandemic has also affected the education system in particular. About 26 000 learners enrolled in the Early Childhood Education programme missed two thirds of learning time in the first year of Covid-19. Learners with disabilities bore a double burden as the school closure resulted in them missing two thirds of learning time in the first year of Covid-19.

The report further cautions that the Covid-19 pandemic threatens to roll back year of progress in protection and promotion of children’s rights, leaving children deprived of essential services and families struggling. “Therefore, it is imperative to take concerted action to build resilient systems to protect children and their families from any future shocks.”

Meanwhile, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic Education, Miriam Maroba and UNICEF Representative Alexandra Illmer, this week signed off a Joint Work Plan which aims at improving access to quality education for all. The focus of this plan will be on Early Childhood Development, Quality Learning, Inclusive and Special Education, EMIS and Out of School Education for children.

The main backbone of this plan will be the Sustainable Development Goal Number Four “Quality Education”, which ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

“If you look at the Joint Work Plan, you will find all components of the RESET Agenda. The priority around digitalisation, the priority around and ensuring continued learning and teaching in education amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. COVID is a running theme throughout this and as we battle to learn to live with it. We have continued working with UNICEF in this regard to make sure that our schools are safe, and to ensure continued capacitation of ourselves in terms of how to continue with teaching and learning during difficult times,” Maroba said.

Some of the measures put in place to halt the spread of Covid-19, such as lockdowns and school closure, disrupted the children’s routine as well as their social support. Some children were left unattended for lengthy periods of time, making them more vulnerable to all forms of abuse,