ABSTRACT
In this chapter, I put a spotlight on a contextual background to my book titled The Bible and Gender-based Violence in Botswana. The chapter provides information on Botswana as a country situated in the center of Southern Africa, surrounded by South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. The Bible is shown to be an important text in this context where more than 70% of the population subscribe to Christianity. Botswana is well-lauded both regionally and internationally for her peace, stability, and democracy, which is considered one of the best in the region. Ironically, the country has the highest incidences of gender-based violence against women and girls in the world. Therefore, this chapter suggests that since the Bible holds an authoritative position in this context, it cannot be absolved from influencing cultural and traditional behaviors that marginalize female persons and contribute to gender-based violence against this demographic group. Still, I argue that because of its ambiguous nature, with competing and even contradictory messages, the Bible has the potential to positively influence gender equality, respect for all persons, and many other affirmative messages geared towards making Botswana (and the rest of the world) a better place for non-hegemonic groups, including women and girls.
