04/08/2026
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The Acting Country Representative of United Nations Childrenβs Fund (UNICEF) to SADC and Botswana, His Excellency Kimanzi Muthengi paid courtesy call on the Commissioner of Police, Commissioner Dinah Marathe.
Welcoming His Excellency Muthengi at Police headquarters today (04/08/2026), Commissioner Marathe reaffirmed the Botswana Police Service's (BPS) commitment to strengthening child protection services in the country. She said that the vulnerability of young people stemmed from complex factors, including weakened family structures, digital risks, substance abuse and declining community guardianship.
The Commissioner said evolving landscape brought new challenges that require a multi-pronged approach to tackle issues like school violence, bullying, online exploitation. She said while legislation remains an important tool in protecting children against violence, laws alone cannot eliminate violence.
Commissioner Marathe stated that BPS has shifted the strategic focus toward community-led prevention under its Corporate Development Strategy (CDS) 2026β2030. She said the Strategy is guided by the core philosophy that raising children is a shared responsibility. She pointed that every citizen and family had a vital role to play in protecting children before they became victims.
The Commissioner commended the partnership with UNICEF for establishing child-friendly centers, which provide a safer and more appropriate environment for children who come into contact with the law. She also noted that BPS has made combating Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse a strategic priority.
Commissioner Marathe informed His Excellency that Botswana became the first SADC nation to connect to INTERPOL International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) Database. She said this is a significant milestone that positions Botswana as a regional contributor to global efforts aimed at dismantling child sexual abuse networks.
In his reciprocating remarks, His Excellency Muthengi said UNICEF remains committed to support BPS in building a justice and protection system that places the safety, dignity and the best interests of children at the centre.
He commended the BPS for establishing child-friendly centres, which provide a safer and more appropriate environment for children who come into contact with the law. His Excellency also recognised the BPS for training officers in child-friendly policing approaches, resulting in improved reporting and handling of cases involving children.
He called for scaling up child-friendly and survivor-centred policing approaches, strengthening collaboration with stakeholders in telecommunications to promote safer digital spaces, enhancing public awareness on online risks and improving coordinated responses.
He reaffirmed UNICEFβ commitment to working closely with the BPS and other national partners to strengthen child protection systems and advance child-friendly justice in Botswana.
