Botswana Gender Based Violence Prevention and Support Centre. (2025). “… how are you going to survive if you leave…”: Understanding how motherhood shapes women’s decisions to stay in or leave abusive relationships in Botswana. Sexual Violence Research Initiative.

Abstract

This study – conducted by the Botswana Gender Based Violence Prevention and Support Centre with funding from GIZ – explores community perceptions in Botswana of the role of children and motherhood in women’s decisions to remain in or leave abusive intimate relationships. It examines the social norms and contextual factors shaping these choices to better inform GBV prevention and support efforts.