Homes as 'cages of violence' during the COVID-19 pandemic: A pastoral care approach to the case of Botswana

Violence has become a common phenomenon that affects women and children, particularly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. While the lockdown regulations were meant to save lives by preventing further spread of the virus, another virus called 'violence against women' encroached the space which is supposed to be the safest for women and children. For women, homes have now been turned into cages of violence and slaughterhouses. Toxic masculinity is seen at play as all dominant and power ideologies are employed against women. This article deals with these challenges of violence against women in Botswana from a pastoral care point of view. Firstly, it provides an overview of the current gender-based violence (GBV) situation in Botswana through empirical data from other social scientists. It then highlights some forms and the causes linked to the problem of GBV in Botswana. Secondly, it brings in pastoral care work, particularly mutual care, as a relevant tool for the church in addressing GBV. Lastly, it suggests ways in which the church could contribute in pursuit of gender justice and building a violence-free society.Contribution: While the article grapples with the challenges of GBV and persistent toxic masculinities from a theological point of view, the implications of the outcome are multidisciplinary. They aim to respond and raise awareness about the need to build a violence -free society, and to deal with the challenges of oppression, toxic masculinity and manhood ideologies which result in the domination and killing of women.

Churches and COVID-19 in Botswana

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the corona virus 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic as it attacks societies at their core. The seriousness of this pandemic forced countries to introduce stringent measures to combat its spread. This led to bans on social and religious gatherings and extreme social distancing or lockdown. Botswana went into lockdown from 2 April to 21 May 2020 and a state of emergency lasting six months. This chapter seeks to provide an overview of how the religious fraternity in Botswana has responded to COVID-19 by identifying the strengths and challenges of these responses as well as outlining lessons learnt for the future in terms of the interface of epidemics, religion and politics. The chapter will rely on reports from Church Organizations under Botswana Network of Christian Communities (BONECO), telephonic interviews with pastors and leaders of churches and literature available on the Internet. © 2022 selection and editorial matter, Fortune Sibanda, Tenson Muyambo and Ezra Chitando;individual chapters, the contributors.